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The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recently reverted to using the disease name “monkeypox”—a term discouraged globally for its potential to perpetuate racial and scientific misconceptions—under directives from President Donald Trump’s administration, reigniting controversy over public health communication standards and disease stigma.
A Return to Controversy
On September 29, 2025, the U.S. CDC, guided by policy shifts within the Trump administration, quietly updated its disease nomenclature to reintroduce “monkeypox” after having adopted “mpox” in late 2022. This move comes despite World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations from 2022 to phase out the term “monkeypox” due to its misleading and potentially racist undertones, especially as the virus is primarily transmitted by rodents, not monkeys, and can stoke harmful stereotypes toward affected groups, particularly African and LGBTQ communities. Mpox outbreaks have been especially acute in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sierra Leone, continuing to pose public health challenges worldwide.
Key Developments and Scientific Context
The WHO’s decision to rename monkeypox to mpox emerged from widespread consultations with experts, governments, and communities concerned about stigmatizing language. Since its 2022–2023 global outbreak, mpox has infected tens of thousands across 110 countries, with more than 80,000 confirmed cases and 55 deaths reported at the height of concern. The disease manifests as a painful rash and is spread through close contact, contaminated materials, and—rarely—infected animals. Recent outbreaks, particularly in Africa, continue to raise global health alarms.
Expert testimony, such as that of Dr. Leandre Murhula Masirik, who identified a new mpox variant in Congo, emphasizes the term’s inaccuracy: “I would even call it rodentpox rather than the mpox or monkeypox virus,” echoing global calls to correct the scientific record and reduce community stigma. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the current health secretary, has overseen the CDC’s return to the original naming convention amidst a broader anti-woke policy drive.
Expert Commentary and Diverse Perspectives
Dr. Richard Besser, former acting director of the CDC, described the importance of naming conventions: “The current name creates a false and disparaging association between monkeys and people who catch the disease, which could create barriers for those seeking care.” He added that changing a disease name in the midst of an outbreak is challenging, but “should not be a barrier to changing the name if the name itself is causing harm.” Kathleen Hall Jamieson, director of the University of Pennsylvania’s Annenberg Public Policy Center, criticized the name’s lack of useful information and its contribution to harmful stereotypes.
Dr. Ifeanyi Nsofor, senior global health equity advocate, highlighted two major reasons for the name change: the historic racism associated with linking Black people to monkeys, and the scientific inaccuracy of suggesting monkeypox is primarily transmitted by monkeys rather than rodents.
Societal Implications and Public Health Impact
Health experts argue that reversion to the “monkeypox” label risks undoing hard-won progress in reducing pandemic stigma. The mpox renaming provided clarity and respect for vulnerable communities—especially gay and bisexual men—disproportionately affected during the 2022 outbreak. The reintroduction of the stigmatizing name may breed mistrust and confusion among patients, potentially deterring vaccination and timely care-seeking, and fueling misinformation that links the disease erroneously to sexual contact with monkeys and implements outdated tropes about disease origin and transmission.
The WHO’s Best Practices for Naming of New Human Infectious Diseases aim to avoid names that might “create unnecessary negative impacts on trade, travel, tourism or animal welfare,” and above all, “avoid offending any cultural, social, national, regional, professional or ethnic groups”.
Limitations, Counterarguments, and Ongoing Debate
While global health bodies like WHO and most national agencies continue to use “mpox,” some scientific institutions, such as the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV), maintain the original virus name “Orthopoxvirus monkeypox.” The CDC’s guidance is at odds with international recommendations, resulting in discordant nomenclature that may complicate epidemiological tracking and scientific communication.
Moreover, the process of changing disease names involves challenges, including historic documentation and the risk of confusion during widespread outbreaks, as reflected in public consultation records. Some voices in the scientific community remain divided about the renaming, with limited consensus on eliminating the term “monkey” altogether. Communications experts point out that disease names can have long lifespans, even after official transitions.
Practical Implications for Public Health Readers
For healthcare professionals and health-conscious consumers, the renewed name controversy underscores the importance of using evidence-based, person-first language and advocating for clear, non-stigmatizing disease terminology. The ongoing mpox outbreaks and vaccination campaigns remain urgent; individuals should prioritize accurate information, engage with local health authorities, and avoid amplifying misleading or discriminatory language in their own communications and care decisions.
While debates over nomenclature may seem semantic, they have real consequences for public trust, equity in healthcare, and the success of efforts to control infectious disease outbreaks.
Medical Disclaimer
“Medical Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with qualified healthcare professionals before making any health-related decisions or changes to your treatment plan. The information presented here is based on current research and expert opinions, which may evolve as new evidence emerges.”
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