• dwightwinton6
• August 19, 2024

Answers About Mpox Virus

Learn about mpox, formerly monkeypox.

Mpox, a disease that has the potential to spread widely, originates from the mpox virus. It primarily infects animals like rodents—such as rats or mice—and nonhuman primates, including monkeys. However, humans are also vulnerable.

Mpox primarily occurs in Central and West Africa, where it is endemic, but cases outside these regions often result from:

• International travel, particularly to or from areas with ongoing transmission.
• Imported animals, such as small mammals, which may carry the virus.
• Close contact, including skin-to-skin interaction, with infected animals or humans, or exposure to contaminated materials like bedding or clothing.

Since early 2022, mpox cases have emerged in countries where the disease is uncommon, such as the United States, Canada, and parts of Europe. Health organizations, including the CDC, have been closely tracking outbreaks and investigating transmission patterns to understand the spread.

Mpox symptoms typically manifest within 3 to 17 days following exposure, a period known as the incubation phase when the virus multiplies without causing symptoms. Once symptoms emerge, they may last for 2 to 4 weeks, varying in severity. These symptoms often start with general signs of illness such as fever, fatigue, and body aches, progressing to more specific indicators.

The characteristic rash associated with mpox begins on areas such as the face, hands, or feet, then gradually spreads to other regions. In certain cases, particularly in outbreaks like the one in 2022, the rash may initially develop in the genital area, mouth, or throat. The rash evolves in distinct stages, beginning as flat spots that transition into blisters. These blisters fill with pus, scab over, and eventually fall off, marking the resolution of the infection.