WHO plans to rename monkeypox to this: Report

Monkeypox: The decision, which could be announced as early as Wednesday comes in response to growing pressure.

The World Health Organization is planning to rename monkeypox, designating it as "MPOX" in an effort to destigmatize the virus that gained a foothold in the United States earlier this year, Politico reported on Tuesday, citing people with knowledge of the matter.

Monkeypox: Swab samples for monkeypox being tested. (Representational)

The decision, which could be announced as early as Wednesday comes in response to growing pressure from senior Biden officials, who privately urged WHO leaders to change the name, Politico added.

(Reporting by Baranjot Kaur in Bengaluru; Editing by Sandra Maler)