MONKEYPOX VIRUS

Monkeypox is a zoonotic disease meaning it can be spread between animals and people caused by infection with a virus. This virus is part of the same family as the virus that causes smallpox. People with mpox often get a rash along with other symptoms. The rash will go through several stages including scabs before healing. Mpox is not related to chickenpox. There are two types of Monkeypox virus: clade I and clade II.Clade I causes more severe illness and deaths. Some outbreaks have killed up to 10% of the people who get sick although more recent outbreaks have had lower death rates. Clade I is endemic to Central Africa.Clade II is the type that caused the global outbreak that began in 2022. Infections from clade II mpox are less severe. More than 99.9% of people survive. Clade II is endemic to West Africa.Both types of the virus can spread through: Direct contact with infected animalsClose contact (including intimate contact) with a person with mpox Direct contact with contaminated materials