Poxy McPoxface, TRUMP-22, Mpox: Public called on to rename monkeypox virus
The World Health Organisation has called on the expertise of the public to help them rename the monkeypox virus after claiming the name is "misleading".
Names for viruses are usually chosen by a committee behind closed doors, but the WHO has decided to open up the process to allow submissions from all over the world.
Names such as Poxy McPoxface, TRUMP-22 or Mpox have been put forward so far, prompting the WHO to say they will choosing a serious name.
WHO spokesperson Fadela Chaib said, "I am sure we will not come up with a ridiculous name."
Dozens of submissions have now been made from a range of contributors including academics, doctors, and a gay community activist.
One more technical submission came from Harvard Medical School emergency physician Jeremy Faust, who said the virus should simply be called OPOXID-22.
Another proposal, TRUMP-22, appeared to be refer to former US President Donald Trump who used the controversial term "Chinese virus" for the new coronavirus, although its author said it stood for "Toxic Rash of Unrecognized Mysterious Provenance of 2022".
Pressure is growing for a new name for the disease, largely because critics say it is misleading, since the virus did not originate in monkeys.
A group of leading scientists wrote a position paper in June calling for a name that was "neutral, non-discriminatory and non-stigmatizing" amid fears the name can be used in a racist way.
"It's very important we find a new name for monkeypox because this is best practice not to create any offence to an ethical group, a region, a country, an animal etc," Miss Chaib said.
"The WHO is very concerned by this issue and we want to find a name that is not stigmatising," she added without giving a timeline of when the new name may be decided.
Monkeypox was first discovered in 1958 and named after the first animal to show symptoms.
The WHO declared the current outbreak a public health emergency in July having reported more than 32,000 cases from over 80 countries.
Image credits: Getty Images