Monkeypox was named after monkeys because the virus that causes the disease was first identified in these animals during initial research efforts.
The word 'pox' itself does not relate to animals; it is an older term describing the symptoms of the disease. The naming of Monkeypox specifically refers to the context of its discovery.
The Origin of the Term 'Pox'
The general term "pox" has historical roots unrelated to animals. The Poxvirus family name, which includes the virus causing Monkeypox, originates from the word 'pox'.
- This word derives from the Middle English word "pocke" (or plural "pockes").
- "Pocke" means pustule, blister, or eruptive sore, which are characteristic skin lesions seen in many pox diseases.
How Monkeypox Got Its Name
While the term 'pox' describes the type of lesions, the name "Monkeypox" is linked to the location and host where the virus was initially found.
- The virus responsible for Monkeypox was first discovered in 1958 during research in Copenhagen, Denmark.
- This discovery was made in captive monkeys that were being used for research.
- Consequently, the disease was given the name Human Monkeypox in 1970 when the first human case was identified in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
This highlights that the name "Monkeypox" reflects the animal species in which the virus was first observed, rather than a general rule that all pox diseases are named after animals. The name serves as a historical marker of the virus's initial identification source.
