WHO names three variants of Monkeypox Virus
Recently the World Health Organization (WHO) has named variants of the Monkeypox Virus. This was done to avoid any cultural or social crime. The name of the
Monkeypox variant has been changed to 'Clades I, IIa and IIb'. The phylogeny and nomenclature of known and new Monkeypox Virus variants or clades were reviewed by Pox Virology experts and representatives from research institutions around the world.
The former Congo Basin (Central African) clade has been renamed to Clade One (I), while the former
West African clade has been renamed to Clade Two (II). Clade II also includes two subclasses.
Monkeypox
Monkeypox is a constant outbreak. The first case of this viral disease was reported in the United Kingdom in May 2022. The first case was personally reported with a travel link to Nigeria. Monkeypox disease is endemic to Nigeria. This is the first time the disease is
emerging outside Central and West Africa.
It was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on 23 July 2022. Cases of
Monkeypox have been reported in more than 80 countries. In view of this, WHO has declared it a global health emergency. Confirmed cases have reached over 32,000. There have been 5 cases of Monkeypox in Delhi.