Cases of monkeypox are now rising in the US, with reports that it is present in all 50 states. At the same time, the World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that it intends to change the name of the virus to avoid stigma and discrimination. While this is an important step, more than a name change may be needed.
As a researcher studying metaphors in health, I use critical metaphor analysis to explore how the metaphors used to understand and discuss monkeypox may amplify problematic, discriminatory and dangerous social beliefs.
