Mpox
Infectious viral disease caused by the monkeypox virus.
Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) is an infectious viral disease caused by the monkeypox virus, a zoonotic pathogen in the genus Orthopoxvirus. The disease can occur in humans and other animals, with symptoms including a blistering rash, fever, and swollen lymph nodes; most cases are mild and resolve within weeks without treatment. Mpox is endemic in Central and Western Africa, and a global outbreak of clade II in 2022–2023 marked the first widespread community transmission outside Africa, leading the World Health Organization to declare a public health emergency of international concern.
- caused_by
- Orthopoxvirus monkeypox (formerly monkeypox virus)
- first_human_cases
- 1970 in Basankusu, Democratic Republic of the Congo
- incubation_period
- 3 to 17 days (range 1 day to 4 weeks)
- symptom_duration
- 2 to 4 weeks
- case_fatality_rate
- Historically 1%–10%; clade IIb global outbreak 0.16%; clade I outbreak in DRC 4.9% (as of April 2024)
- transmission
- Direct contact with infected skin or body fluids, including sexual contact; handling infected meat; bites or scratches
- vaccine
- Smallpox vaccines effective; no specific mpox vaccine developed
Quick Facts
- Pronounce
- ˈ · ɛ · m · p · ɒ · k · s, EM · poks
- Field
- Infectious disease
- Symptoms
- Rash, fever, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, muscle aches, sore throat
- Complications
- Secondary infections, pneumonia, sepsis, encephalitis, loss of vision with severe eye infection
- Onset
- 3–17 days post exposure
- Duration
- 2 to 4 weeks
- Types
- CladeI, CladeII; subclades Ia, Ib, IIa, IIb
- Causes
- Monkeypox virus
- Diagnosis
- Testing for viral DNA
- Differential
- Chickenpox, smallpox
- Prevention
- Smallpox and mpox vaccine, hand washing, covering rash, PPE, social distancing
- Treatment
- Supportive
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The pathogen was first discovered in 1958 after laboratory monkeys showed a pox-like illness, leading to the name 'monkeypox,' though the natural reservoir is suspected to be small mammals such as the fire-footed rope squirrel. The first human cases were diagnosed in 1970 in Basankusu, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Since then, outbreaks have increased in frequency and severity, possibly due to waning immunity after the cessation of routine smallpox vaccination.
In November 2022, the World Health Organization renamed the disease 'mpox' to reduce stigma, as racist comments had associated the original name with Africa and misinformation had wrongly linked it to gay men. The virus species name was updated to Orthopoxvirus monkeypox in June 2024 by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses.
A global outbreak of clade II in 2022–2023 led to the WHO declaring a public health emergency of international concern in July 2022, which was reverted in May 2023 after vaccination and public health information brought the outbreak under control. A new variant of clade I (clade Ib) detected in the Democratic Republic of the Congo during 2023 spread to several African countries by August 2024, prompting another WHO public health emergency declaration.
Reader's Guide
Mpox is significant as a re-emerging zoonotic disease that has transitioned from sporadic outbreaks in Central and Western Africa to global community transmission, as seen in the 2022–2023 clade II outbreak. Its legacy includes highlighting the consequences of waning smallpox immunity, as routine smallpox vaccination had previously provided cross-protection. The disease also underscores the importance of non-stigmatizing nomenclature; the WHO's renaming to 'mpox' aimed to reduce discrimination that had deterred individuals from seeking diagnosis and treatment, reminiscent of the early HIV/AIDS pandemic. The emergence of clade Ib in 2023–2024, with a higher case fatality rate, raises concerns about adaptation to sustained human transmission. While no specific treatment exists, smallpox vaccines are effective, and antiviral drugs like tecovirimat are used despite unproven efficacy. The disease's impact on public health policy, international emergency responses, and the need for equitable healthcare infrastructure in endemic regions remains a central legacy.
Did You Know?
- The name 'monkeypox' originated from its discovery in laboratory monkeys in 1958, but the natural reservoir is thought to be small mammals like the fire-footed rope squirrel.
- The 2022–2023 global outbreak of clade II had a very low case fatality rate of 0.16%, with most deaths in immunocompromised individuals.
- In August 2024, the WHO declared a public health emergency of international concern for an outbreak of a new clade I variant (clade Ib) that spread to several African countries.
- The virus species name was officially changed to Orthopoxvirus monkeypox in June 2024 by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses.
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