mpox

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Crucial Reasons: WHO Renamed Monkeypox to Mpox

monkeypox, Mpox

In 2024, the World Health Organisation (WHO) changed the name of the disease called monkeypox changed to mpox. They did this because the old name made some people feel bad or scared, and it was not kind. The new name, mpox, is shorter, easier to say, and nicer for everyone. Mpox is a sickness that can cause people a fever, tiredness, and spots on their skin. Some new cases were found in India, so it is important to talk about it. Changing the name helps doctors, nurses, and people. So they can work together to stop the sickness and keep everyone healthy.

Who Renamed Monkeypox And Why ?

mpox
Source- Health Hub News

WHO renamed monkeypox to mpox because the old name caused problems. People thought the sickness came only from monkeys or only affected people in certain places like Africa, which was not true. This led to unfair blaming of animals and people, and it hurt many feelings. The new name, mpox, is shorter and kinder and does not mention any animals or places. WHO hopes this change will stop the wrong ideas and help people talk about the sickness in a better and fairer way.

  • Stopping Racism: Some people thought only people in Africa are getting sick from monkeypox. This was not true, but it made some people treat others unfairly. Changing the name to “mpox” helps stop this wrong and hurtful thinking.
  • No More Blaming Animals: Some people blamed monkeys for the sickness because of the name “monkeypox”. But monkeys are not only that can spread it. Changing the name to “mpox” helps people understand this better and stop blaming monkeys.

Why the Name Mpox Makes it Easier to Talk

  • It’s Shorter: It is quick and easy to say, while monkeypox is longer.
  • No Confusion: The new name does not make people think of monkeys or certain places, so it’s less confusing.
  • Less Scary: The old name made some people scared, but it sounds nicer and less frightening.
  • Clearer Information: Health workers can explain the disease more easily with the new name, so everyone can understand better.
  • Easy to Remember: It is simple to remember, so people can talk about it more comfortably.

The Importance of Language in Health Awareness

Language is really important for health awareness because it helps people understand easily what to do to stay healthy. When we use easy and clear words, it is less scary, and people can make better choices. Clear language also helps in stopping confusion about where a disease may begin.

Using the right words also makes people feel safe and more likely to get help. It helps doctors and nurses explain things better so everyone can follow the right steps. When health information is easy to understand, people trust it more and feel comfortable asking for help.

Mpox in India: What You Need to Know

mpox cause
source – bbcnews

Mpox causes a sickness that has been found in some parts of India. It can make people sick with a fever, tiredness, and spots on the skin. Right now, there are not many people with this cause, but it can spread if we are not careful. Doctors and nurses are teaching people how to stay safe and not let the sickness spread. If we know how it spreads and how to protect ourselves, we can stop it from spreading more in India.

What You Need to Know:

Mpox can make you feel tired, give you a fever, and cause spots on your skin.

  • It can spread from animals to people.
  • Doctors are telling people how to stay safe.
  • We need to know the right things to do to stop it.
  • Right now, there aren’t many cases in India, but we still need to be careful.
  • Knowing these things can help us stop viral illness from spreading.

Lessons from COVID-19: Why Clear Naming Helps Everyone

The COVID-19 pandemic showed us how important it is to have clear names for diseases. When diseases have confusing names, people can get scared or blame animals or places. The name “COVID-19” was easy to understand, and that helped everyone know how to stay safe. With mpox, the World Health Organisation (WHO) changed the name from monkeypox to make it easier to talk about without blaming animals or countries. A clear name helps stop confusion and fear.

Why Clear Names Matter: Clear names help people understand what the sickness is. Simple names make it easier to share important information. Names like “mpox” help focus on stopping the sickness, not where it came from. Learning from COVID-19, we can see that clear names like mpox make it easier for everyone to stay safe and work together.

How Media Can Help Spread the Right Information

The media plays a big role in spreading the right information about mpox. By sharing clear facts, stopping rumours, and teaching people how to stay safe, the media helps keep everyone informed and healthy. It reaches lots of people and encourages them to protect themselves and others.

  • Tells People What’s True: The media (like TV, radio, newspapers, and the internet) can tell people the true facts about Viral illness so they know what it is and how to stay safe.
  • Stops Fake News: Sometimes people hear things that are not true. The media can help stop wrong stories and share the right ones.
  • Teaching People About Prevention: The media can teach people to wash their hands, stay clean, and be careful around sick animals.
  • Reaching a Wide Audience: The media can tell lots of people the same message, even those living far away or in villages.
  • Encouraging Healthy Habits: The media can tell people to go to a doctor if they feel sick and follow health rules.

Mpox Symptoms and How to Stay Safe

mpox symptoms
source – biospectrumasia

Mpox Symptoms:

  1. Fever – You may feel very heated. Even though you might feel cold and start shivering.
  2. Tiredness – You might feel weak and sleepy.
  3. Headache – Your head may hurt.
  4. Muscle Pain – Your arms or legs might feel pain.
  5. Swollen Glands – You may feel small round spots in your neck or underarms.
  6. Skin Rashes or Spots – You may see red spots or pimples on your skin.

How to Stay Safe:

  1. Follow What Doctors Say – Listen to health workers and do what they tell you to stay safe.
  2. Wash Your Hands Often – Use soap and water to keep your hands clean.
  3. Stay Away from Sick People or Animals – Don’t touch anyone who is sick or has spots on their skin.
  4. Don’t Touch Wild Animals – Especially if They Look Sick.
  5. Cover Your Mouth When You Sneeze – Use a tissue or your elbow.
  6. Tell an Adult If You Feel Sick – They can help you see a doctor.

India’s Response to Mpox Cases: Challenges and Solutions

Problems (Challenges):

  • Few Cases, But Still a Risk: India had some mpox cases before. Right now, there are no new ones, but the sickness can still come back, so we must be careful.
  • Not Everyone Knows About Mpox: Some people don’t know what viral illness is or how it spreads. If people don’t know, they may not stay safe.
  • Busy Hospital: If many people get sick at the same time, hospitals can get very full, and doctors will have a lot of work.

Solutions (What India Is Doing):

  • Checking People at Airports: People who come from other countries are checked at airports to make sure they are not sick.
  • Telling Everyone About Mpox: The government is teaching people what mpox is, how it spreads, and how to stay safe.
  • Helping Doctors and Nurses Learn More: Doctors and nurses are being trained so they can find and treat viral illnesses quickly.
  • Setting Up Labs to Test: India has made many labs where people can get tested for mpox if they feel sick.
  • Working with WHO: India is working with a big health group called WHO to get help and share ideas on how to stop mpox. This is important for preventing further monkeypox outbreaks.

The Future of Mpox: Awareness, Action, and Hope

  1. The future of mpox can be safe and healthy if we all work together. First, people need to know about viral illness — this is called awareness. When we understand how it spreads and what the signs are, we can protect ourselves and others.
  2. Next comes action. This means washing hands, staying away from sick people or animals, and going to the doctor if we feel unwell. Doctors, nurses, and leaders must also keep teaching and helping everyone.
  3. And most important is hope. With the new name viral illness, better information, and people working together, we can stop the sickness from spreading. If we all do our part, the future can be bright and healthy for everyone.

Conclusion

The name was changed from monkeypox to mpox. It is the right decision for everyone by the World Health Organisation. The new name helps people to talk easily about the sickness without blaming animals or places. India and other countries are working hard to stop mpox by teaching people and keeping them safe. If we all learn, listen to doctors, and help each other, we can stop the sickness and stay healthy.