What is Mpox (monkeypox)?

Mpox Latest News

The scientific community is divided on whether mpox should be given the label of a sexually transmitted disease (STD), with targeted public health interventions to contain it.

About Mpox

• Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, is a zoonotic viral illness caused by the monkeypox virus, a species of the genus Orthopoxvirus.
• Mpox is characterized by rash or skin lesions that are usually concentrated on the face, palms of the hands, and soles of the feet.
• The first human case of mpox was recorded in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Subtypes of Mpox

• Clade I: It is endemic to Central Africa. It tends to cause more serious illness than clade II. Recent outbreaks of clade I have been less deadly. 
• Clade II: It is endemic to East Africa. There’s been a global outbreak of clade II mpox since 2022. It’s less likely to be fatal than clade I. 

Mpox Transmission

• Mpox is transmitted to people by close contact with infected animals or people or by touching virus-contaminated materials. 
• It enters the body through (often invisible) injuries or wounds in the skin, or the mucous membranes. 
• Mpox can be passed from one person to another during sexual contact. 
• During pregnancy, the virus may be passed to the fetus, or to the newborn during or after birth.

Mpox Symptoms

• Common symptoms of mpox are a skin rash or mucosal lesions, which can last 2–4 weeks, accompanied by fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy and swollen lymph nodes. 
• Mpox symptoms often resolve on their own without the need for treatment.

Mpox Treatment

• There are no specific treatments for monkeypox virus infection. 
• Treatment for most people with mpox is to relieve symptoms.

Mpox FAQs

Q1. What is the survival rate for mpox?

Ans. The survival rate for Mpox (formerly Monkeypox) is generally high, with most cases being mild to moderate. 

Q2. What is the cause of monkeypox?

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Ans. Mpox is an illness caused by the monkeypox virus.

Q3. Is monkeypox curable?

Ans. Currently, there are no treatments specifically for monkeypox, and most people who get monkeypox get better on their own without treatment and can recover at home. 

Source: TH