NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — City health officials are asking the World Health Organization to change the name of the monkeypox virus, arguing it has created a stigma as New York City remains the epicenter of cases nationwide.
With the virus now primarily targeting gay and bisexual men, New York City Health Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan said in his letter to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus that he's concerned that the stigma around the name could deter people in the LGBTQ and Black communities from getting treatment.
"We have a growing concern for the potentially devastating and stigmatizing effects that the messaging around the 'monkeypox' virus can have on these already vulnerable communities," Vasan said.
"NYC joins many public health experts and community leaders who have expressed their serious concern about continuing to exclusively use the term 'monkeypox' given the stigma it may engender, and the painful and racist history within which terminology like this is rooted for communities of color," the letter added.
Vasan said that the name is deceptive because the virus does not originate in primates and advocated the adoption of "alternative terminology" [that's] possible and entities are starting to use such terms as 'hMPXV' and 'MPV.'"
The WHO had promised a name change in June but never acted on it.
As Ben Satanek waited in line outside a city vaccination clinic in Chelsea, the Australian native agreed the name is "not something that you want to be affiliated with."
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After several attempts, Satanek finally received his vaccine at a Staten Island clinic.
"You would think, obviously after COVID, they would have this a little more prepared...it's pretty disappointing," he added.
Though the city has recovered nearly 1,100 cases as of Tuesday, health officials believe that the number is much higher.
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