New Delhi, India: As the monkeypox virus continues to spread, the World Health Organization (WHO) is considering changing the name to eliminate the stigma and discrimination associated with it.
The WHO’s Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, stated that the organisation is “working with partners and experts from around the world to change the nomenclature of the monkeypox virus, its clades, and the disease it causes.”
In a paper released last week, approximately 30 scientists from 11 nations recommended for a reduction in “discriminatory” wording used to differentiate the monkeypox virus.
The scientists lobbied for the “urgent need for a non-discriminatory and non-stigmatizing name for monkeypox” in a preprint published on virological.org last week, as well as renaming the virus with numbers.
The experts express their concern in the paper that the “prevailing perception” in the international media and scholarly literature is that monkeypox is endemic in people in some African countries. “However, previous to the 2022 outbreak, it is widely recognised that nearly all MPXV outbreaks in Africa were the consequence of spillover from animals to humans, with only few cases of persistent human-to-human transmissions,” they stated.
“An rising narrative in the media and among many scientists is attempting to link the current worldwide outbreak to Africa, west Africa, or Nigeria,” the experts warn.
They also proposed designating the virus as “hMPXV” in general, with neutral lineages such as A, A.1, A.1.1, and B.1 denoting its diversity.
Tedros stated that the new name would be announced “as soon as possible.”
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This isn’t the first time a virus’s name has been changed to reflect its location. When the new COVID-19 and its versions were released, similar issues were expressed. When coronavirus was originally discovered, it was dubbed the China or Wuhan virus by people all over the world, and the appearance of a COVID strain in South Africa resulted in travel bans once more. As a result, the WHO instituted a nomenclature scheme that referred to new varieties as Greek alphabet letters.
Hema Malini took a holy dip on Mauni Amavasya, sharing a light moment with yoga guru Baba Ramdev during the event.
During the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 in Prayagraj, a light-hearted moment between actress and BJP MP Hema Malini and yoga guru Baba Ramdev has garnered attention. The incident occurred during a holy dip in the Ganges River, a ritual observed by many devotees during the Kumbh.
As Baba Ramdev emerged from the sacred waters, he performed a vigorous hair flip to clear water from his long locks. This dramatic gesture, characteristic of his energetic persona, inadvertently splashed water towards Hema Malini, who was standing nearby. Caught off guard, Hema Malini burst into laughter, adding a spontaneous and joyful touch to the solemn occasion.
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The video capturing this candid interaction quickly spread across social media platforms, with many users appreciating the unscripted display of camaraderie between the two prominent figures. Comments highlighted the human side of public personalities, noting how such moments bridge the gap between celebrities and the general populace.
The Maha Kumbh Mela, held every 12 years, is a significant religious event attracting millions of pilgrims from around the world. This year’s gathering has seen participation from various dignitaries, spiritual leaders, and celebrities, all coming together to partake in the holy rituals.
Hema Malini, known for her illustrious career in Indian cinema and her role as a parliamentarian, has been actively participating in the events at the Kumbh. She recently recited Sanskrit shlokas and spoke on the significance of Sanatan Dharma during her address at the Maha Kumbh Sabha in Prayagraj.
During the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 in Prayagraj, a light-hearted moment between actress and BJP MP Hema Malini and yoga guru Baba Ramdev has captured public attention. As both emerged from a holy dip in the Ganges River.
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Baba Ramdev performed a vigorous hair flip to clear water from his long locks. This energetic gesture inadvertently splashed water towards Hema Malini, who was standing nearby. Caught off guard, she burst into laughter, adding a spontaneous and joyful touch to the solemn occasion.
The video capturing this candid interaction quickly spread across social media platforms, with many users appreciating the unscripted display of camaraderie between the two prominent figures. Comments highlighted the human side of public personalities, noting how such moments bridge the gap between celebrities and the general populace.
The Maha Kumbh Mela, held every 12 years, is a significant religious event attracting millions of pilgrims from around the world. This year’s gathering has seen participation from various dignitaries, spiritual leaders, and celebrities, all coming together to partake in the holy rituals.
Hema Malini, known for her illustrious career in Indian cinema and her role as a parliamentarian, has been actively participating in the events at the Kumbh. She recently recited Sanskrit shlokas and spoke on the significance of Sanatan Dharma during her address at the Maha Kumbh Sabha in Prayagraj.
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Baba Ramdev, a renowned yoga guru and proponent of Ayurveda, to has been a prominent figure at the Kumbh, leading yoga sessions and engaging with devotees. His dynamic presence and enthusiasm have been well-received by attendees.
The shared moment between Hema Malini and Baba Ramdev serves as a reminder of the unity and shared joy that the Kumbh Mela fosters among its participants, transcending social and cultural boundaries.
For a glimpse into Hema Malini’s participation at the Maha Kumbh Sabha, you can watch the following video:
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