THE search for a new name for monkeypox is set to continue after the World Health Organization (WHO) rejected a series of suggestions from members of the public.
Submissions to the WHO have included technical monikers, such as OPOXID-22, and the vaguely amusing, Poxy McPoxface, suggested by Andrew Yi, in homage to Boaty McBoatface, a name that members of the British public wanted to give to a polar research ship in 2016.
Another submission called for the virus to be rebranded as Toxic Rash of Unrecognised Mysterious Provenance 2022, or TRUMP-22 has also been shot down by authorities.
The flurry of suggested alternative titles for monkeypox came after the WHO announced it wanted to rebrand the virus with a "neutral, non-discriminatory and non-stigmatising" name, following recent outbreaks.
"It's very important we find a new name for monkeypox, because this is best practice not to create any offense to an ethnic group, a region, a country, [or] an animal," a WHO spokesperson said.
"The WHO is very concerned by this issue and we want to find a name that is not stigmatising.
"I am sure we will not come up with a ridiculous name."
One submission believed to still be under consideration is the somewhat unimaginative Mpox.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 17 Aug 22
To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 17 Aug 22
