The name Monkeypox has now been changed to Mpox by The WorldHealth Organisationafter people complained it was racist.

Monkeypox has been given a new name after people branded it racist.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) revealed the viral disease will now be known as 'mpox'. Both 'monkeypox' and 'mpox' will still be used for one year until monkeypox is phased out.

In a statement, they said: "When the outbreak of monkeypox expanded earlier this year, racist and stigmatising language online, in other settings and in some communities was observed and reported to WHO.

"Following a series of consultations with global experts, WHO will begin using a new preferred term 'mpox' as a synonym for monkeypox. Both names will be used simultaneously for one year while 'monkeypox' is phased out."

Due to monkeys not being the original animal host, many people felt the name 'monkeypox was misleading.

Dr. Ifeanyi Nsofor, a global health equity advocate, told NPR: "Mpox is better than monkeypox because it still contains 'pox', which speaks to the physical nature of the disease."

He added: "Removing 'monkey' removes the stigma that monkeypox comes with and deals with the possible misinformation."

However back in July, WHO's executive director for health emergencies, Mike Ryan, said: “No matter what names we use, if people are determined to misuse and to weaponize names in order to isolate or discriminate or stigmatize people, then that will always continue.”

Symptoms of monkeypox include headache, fever, chills, rash and exhaustion.