WHO may rename monkeypoxJune 15, 2022 - 12:59 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The World Health Organization (WHO) may decide to officially rename monkeypox and its variants, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, confirming earlier reports, The Jerusalem Post reports. The monkeypox virus, a member of the family of viruses known as orthopoxviruses, is endemic to West Africa and Central Africa but has recently begun spreading to countries across the world. This current outbreak has come worrying for many, especially with the cause of this current rise in cases currently unclear. According to a WHO spokesperson in an email sent to Bloomberg, current WHO guidelines recommend avoiding animal names or geographic regions. Naming diseases, the spokesperson said, should be done in a way that avoids offending any demographic. Monkeypox was first identified in monkeys in the 1950s and the first human case was confirmed in 1970. As the disease was first found in monkeys, it was given the name "monkeypox." However, despite the name monkeypox, monkeys are actually not the main reservoir of the disease. The virus can also be found in a number of animals, specifically African rodents. And many experts believe that it is these African rodents that are the primary reservoir. But as of now, the definitive origin of the virus is unknown, though it is certainly not from monkeys. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. U.S. welcomes efforts to define Armenia-Azerbaijan border The United States welcomes efforts to define the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, says Vedant Patel. Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. |