Summary
In 2022, the World Health Organization changed the name of the virus known as "monkeypox" to "mpox" because it primarily spreads from rodents and small animals, not monkeys, and to reduce stigma associated with the term. Recently, the U.S. has started using the old term "monkeypox" again, but it's unclear why this change occurred.
Key Facts
- In 2022, WHO renamed "monkeypox" to "mpox" due to concerns about racism and stigma.
- The virus actually spreads from rodents and small mammals, not monkeys.
- The first discovery of the virus in monkeys happened in a Danish lab in 1958.
- Human transmission began in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, but not from monkeys.
- Recently, the U.S. Health and Human Services used the term "monkeypox" again.
- The State Department used "monkeypox" in communications by August 28, 2025.
- Experts are unsure why the U.S. reverted to the old name without official explanation.
