WHO Switches Virus Variant Names To Greek To Avoid Stigma
WHO SWITCHES VIRUS VARIANT NAMES – To avoid giving stigma to contries where virus variants were first detected, the World Health Organization said they’d be using the Greek alphabet instead.
The new system would be used for variants of concern. Earlier in the year, the Department of Health suggested the use of P.3. virus as opposed to the Philippine variant.
Meanwhile, WHO said the new system applies for the variants of concern that are currently circulating. Furthermore, there are four variants that WHO is keeping track of. Afterward, a second-level of variants of concern are also being monitored.
They will not replace existing scientific names, but are aimed to help in public discussion
Under the new system, the variants of concern would be called:
- British variant (B.1.1.7) – Alpha
- South African variant (B.1351) – Beta
- Brazilian variant (P.1) – Gamma
Moreover, the Indian variant known as the B.1617 is split into sub-categories with the B.1.617.2 becoming a variant of concern. However, this variant would now be called Delta. On the other hand, the B.1.617.1 variant of interest would be called Kappa.
While they have their advantages, these scientific names can be difficult to say and recall, and are prone to misreporting…
As a result, people often resort to calling variants by the places where they are detected, which is stigmatizing and discriminatory
What do you think about this? Leave your comments below.
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