Montreal non-profit pioneered use of ‘mpox’ before WHO official change

Long before the World Health Organization's official modification, a Montreal community organization pioneered a movement for change of its own. 

The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced it recommends the use of mpox instead of monkeypox to refer to the virus.

But long before the official modification, a Montreal community organization pioneered a grassroots movement for change of its own.

For months, REZO Santé, a non-profit supporting the health needs of the gay and bisexual community, has been mounting awareness campaigns over the spread of the virus and subsequently, the use of the term mpox.

“When we hear ‘monkey’ and when we think the outbreak is from Africa, we link people and Africa with monkeys. We forget that we’re talking about human beings that can live discrimination and prejudice.”

Mpox is an infectious disease that causes many symptoms, including a fever, headaches and a painful rash.

This past summer, Montreal was declared the epicentre of an mpox outbreak that spread around the world.

Many of the cases affected the city’s gay community.

Dr. Réjean Thomas, founder of L’Actuel Clinique, says the name monkeypox brought a lot of stigma to his patients.