The World Health Organization has said it is considering changing the name of monkey measles. This virus, usually found in Africa, was first identified in monkeys in 1958. The virus was first detected in humans in 1970 in Congo. The virus has re-emerged in Nigeria and Congo since 2017. Currently it is spreading in America, Canada, Australia and many European countries. New infections have recently been confirmed in Belgium, France and Germany. So far it has spread to 12 countries.
In this case, the World Health Organization has issued a report on monkey measles. In the report, ‘objection and concern is expressed to calling a disease caused by a specific type of virus ‘monkey measles’ virus. Using the monkey’s name is slanderous and a racial reference. Earlier this disease was known as Congo Basin. It has been reported that henceforth this virus attack can be called clade 1 and clade 2.
It is noteworthy that since last May, 36,000 people have been diagnosed with this virus around the world.