What's in a Name? - a podcast by Sandra Tsing Loh

What’s in a name? For humans, our identity. Same for viruses. Throughout history, viruses have cycled through names that have tried to identify them. Although labelling them by their location or origin seems like a good idea, hindsight has revealed negative side effects of this decision. Recently, the World Health Organization has recommended not including places, animals, and people when choosing a new virus name. This has led to clunkers like “SARS-Cov-2,” but will hopefully safeguard against racism and xenophobia down the line.

Written and reported by Brenna Biggs.References:

1. Kaur, H. Yes, we long have referred to disease outbreaks by geographic places. Here's why we shouldn't anymore. CNN (2020).


2. Doering, C. USDA may help ailing pork industry hit by H1N1. Reuters (2009).


3. 2009 H1N1 Pandemic (H1N1pdm09 virus). Center for Disease Control (2019).

Further episodes of Loh Down on Science: Special Pandemic Edition

Further podcasts by Sandra Tsing Loh

Website of Sandra Tsing Loh