The WHO aims to consult experts in orthopoxviruses on more appropriate names for the monkeypox virus. Earlier during the coronavirus pandemic, people around the world referred to Covid virus as China or Wuhan virus, and again the emergence of a Covid strain in South Africa led to travel bans.
Monkeypox, which spreads through close contact and was first found in monkeys, has been detected in around 30 countries where it is not endemic, with over 780 confirmed cases.
The sample of a suspected monkeypox case in Ghaziabad has been sent for testing, news agency ANI reported today. The centre has warned against "unnecessary panic mongering" as no monkeypox case has been reported in India so far.