Test tubes holding samples that have tested positive for monkeypox. Reuters
Test tubes holding samples that have tested positive for monkeypox. Reuters
Test tubes holding samples that have tested positive for monkeypox. Reuters
Test tubes holding samples that have tested positive for monkeypox. Reuters

WHO to make monkeypox name change to combat stigma


Patrick deHahn
  • English
  • Arabic

The World Health Organisation announced on Wednesday that it will rename monkeypox to avoid stigma and discrimination as the virus has regained a global prevalence with a rise in cases this spring.

About 30 scientists wrote a letter to the agency requesting that it change its use of "monkeypox" and references to the “West African clade and the Congo Basin (Central African) clade”, saying that adjustments would minimise discrimination and racism.

WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that the agency will make the name change as soon as possible.

“The WHO is … working with partners and experts from around the world on changing the name of monkeypox virus, its clades and the disease it causes,” he said at a press briefing.

Similar name changes were requested and made early in the coronavirus pandemic, when scientists advocated avoiding using terms such as “the China virus” or other anti-Asian phrases for Covid-19.

The agency also stopped labelling Covid-19 variants from the country or region where they were first identified, instead using the Greek alphabet to name them.

The virus currently known as monkeypox was thusly named after it was discovered in two separate groups of monkeys used for research in 1958. The first human case of monkeypox was recorded in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1970.

The fatality rate of monkeypox is commonly 3 to 6 per cent but no deaths have been recorded in the current outbreak.

There are currently 2,027 confirmed cases globally, data from the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention show.

Most cases are being recorded in European countries, with the UK having registered 524 cases.

The US has reported 83 infections and the UAE has recorded 13.

The scientists also stated in their letter that “there is growing evidence that the most likely scenario is that cross-continent, cryptic human transmission has been ongoing for longer than previously thought”, making any African references irrelevant.

“The global outbreak of monkeypox is clearly unusual and concerning,” Dr Tedros said.

A committee under the global health agency will be meeting on June 23rd to consider whether the current outbreak should be declared a public health emergency of international concern.

This is the agency's highest alert level and allows the WHO to make global health recommendations and calls for member countries to work on treatments and countermeasures.

For example, the WHO still considers the coronavirus pandemic to be a public health emergency of international concern after it was first declared so in March 2020.

The declaration has been reviewed and renewed regularly ever since.

What is 'Soft Power'?

Soft power was first mentioned in 1990 by former US Defence Secretary Joseph Nye. 
He believed that there were alternative ways of cultivating support from other countries, instead of achieving goals using military strength. 
Soft power is, at its root, the ability to convince other states to do what you want without force. 
This is traditionally achieved by proving that you share morals and values.

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Schedule:
All matches at the Harare Sports Club
1st ODI, Wed Apr 10
2nd ODI, Fri Apr 12
3rd ODI, Sun Apr 14
4th ODI, Sun Apr 16

UAE squad
Mohammed Naveed (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Shaiman Anwar, Mohammed Usman, CP Rizwan, Chirag Suri, Mohammed Boota, Ghulam Shabber, Sultan Ahmed, Imran Haider, Amir Hayat, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed

Zimbabwe squad
Peter Moor (captain), Solomon Mire, Brian Chari, Regis Chakabva, Sean Williams, Timycen Maruma, Sikandar Raza, Donald Tiripano, Kyle Jarvis, Tendai Chatara, Chris Mpofu, Craig Ervine, Brandon Mavuta, Ainsley Ndlovu, Tony Munyonga, Elton Chigumbura

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Director: Tushar Hiranandani
Cast: Taapsee Pannu, Bhumi Pednekar, Prakash Jha, Vineet Singh
Rating: 3.5/5 stars

RESULTS

5pm: Sweihan – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 2,200m
Winner: Shamakh, Fernando Jara (jockey), Jean-Claude Picout (trainer)

5.30pm: Al Shamkha – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m
Winner: Daad, Dane O’Neill, Jaber Bittar

6pm: Shakbout City – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m
Winner: AF Ghayyar, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel

6.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,200m
Winner: Gold Silver, Sandro Paiva, Ibrahim Aseel

7pm: Masdar City – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner: AF Musannef, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel

7.30pm: Khalifa City – Maiden (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner: Ranchero, Patrick Cosgrave, Bhupat Seemar

The finalists

Player of the Century, 2001-2020: Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), Ronaldinho

Coach of the Century, 2001-2020: Pep Guardiola (Manchester City), Jose Mourinho (Tottenham Hotspur), Zinedine Zidane (Real Madrid), Sir Alex Ferguson

Club of the Century, 2001-2020: Al Ahly (Egypt), Bayern Munich (Germany), Barcelona (Spain), Real Madrid (Spain)

Player of the Year: Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)

Club of the Year: Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Real Madrid

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A fraudulent investment operation where the scammer provides fake reports and generates returns for old investors through money paid by new investors, rather than through ligitimate business activities.

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THE DRAFT

The final phase of player recruitment for the T10 League has taken place, with UAE and Indian players being drafted to each of the eight teams.

Bengal Tigers
UAE players: Chirag Suri, Mohammed Usman
Indian: Zaheer Khan

Karachians
UAE players: Ahmed Raza, Ghulam Shabber
Indian: Pravin Tambe

Kerala Kings
UAE players: Mohammed Naveed, Abdul Shakoor
Indian: RS Sodhi

Maratha Arabians
UAE players: Zahoor Khan, Amir Hayat
Indian: S Badrinath

Northern Warriors
UAE players: Imran Haider, Rahul Bhatia
Indian: Amitoze Singh

Pakhtoons
UAE players: Hafiz Kaleem, Sheer Walli
Indian: RP Singh

Punjabi Legends
UAE players: Shaiman Anwar, Sandy Singh
Indian: Praveen Kumar

Rajputs
UAE players: Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed
Indian: Munaf Patel

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1987

1954

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My Country: A Syrian Memoir

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Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

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Along with doctors, families and teachers can help pick up cases of arthritis in children.
Most types of childhood arthritis are known as juvenile idiopathic arthritis. JIA causes pain and inflammation in one or more joints for at least six weeks.
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In the UK, about 15,000 children and young people are affected by arthritis.

Summer special
UAE v Gibraltar

What: International friendly

When: 7pm kick off

Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City

Admission: Free

Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page

UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)

Fitness problems in men's tennis

Andy Murray - hip

Novak Djokovic - elbow

Roger Federer - back

Stan Wawrinka - knee

Kei Nishikori - wrist

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Updated: May 31, 2023, 8:07 AM`