Urgent need for a non-discriminatory and non-stigmatizing nomenclature for monkeypox virus

We propose a novel, non-discriminatory classification of monkeypox virus diversity. Together with the World Health Organization, we named three clades (I, IIa and IIb) in order of detection. Within IIb, the cause of the current global outbreak, we identified multiple lineages (A.1, A.2, A.1.1 and B.1) to support real-time genomic surveillance.

Automated summary

We propose a novel and non-discriminatory classification method for monkeypox virus diversity. Collaborating with the World Health Organization, we named three clades (I, IIa, and IIb) in the order of detection. Within IIb, which is responsible for the ongoing global outbreak, we identified multiple lineages (A.1, A.2, A.1.1, and B.1) to support real-time genomic surveillance.