Overview

• The CDC shifted its public materials back to the older term in September after previously adopting mpox in line with international guidance.
• NPR first reported the reversal, with subsequent coverage in Ars Technica and WION outlining the change.
• HHS replied to press questions by stating that monkeypox is the disease name, a claim reporters flagged as inconsistent with WHO's designation.
• WHO officially renamed the disease mpox in November 2022 in response to reports of racist and stigmatizing language.
• Virus nomenclature is set by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses, which has not changed the monkeypox virus name.