Cases of Mpox (monkeypox) have been increasing, with global fears that people could be plunged back into another crisis similar to Covid-19.
Current statistics show that at least 17 000 cases of Mpox have been reported in 12 countries in Africa, with a total of 517 deaths. In 2022, there were 7 146 cases reported and in 2023 there were 14 957.
Most of these cases have been from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Zimbabwe hasn’t recorded any yet.
What to know about Mpox according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
What is Mpox?
Mpox is a disease caused by infection with a virus, known as Monkeypox virus. This virus is part of the same family as the virus that causes smallpox and is not related to chickenpox. It is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be spread between animals and people. The virus that causes Mpox has been found in small rodents, monkeys, and other mammals that live in these areas.
Discovery and History
Monkeypox virus was discovered in 1958, when two outbreaks of a pox-like disease occurred in colonies of monkeys kept for research. Despite being named “monkeypox” originally, the source of the disease remains unknown.
The first human case of Mpox was recorded in 1970, in what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In 2022, Mpox spread around the world. Before that, cases of Mpox in other places were rare and usually linked to travel or to animals being imported from regions where mpox is endemic.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) renamed the disease in 2022 to follow modern guidelines for naming illnesses. These guidelines recommend that disease names should avoid offending cultural, social, national, regional, professional or ethnic groups and minimize unnecessary negative effects on trade, travel, tourism or animal welfare.
There are two types of Mpox: Clade I and Clade II.
- Both clades can spread through direct contact with infected wild animals, through close contact (including intimate or sexual contact) with a person with Mpox, and through contact with contaminated materials.
Close or Intimate Contact Regardless of type, Mpox virus can spread to anyone through close, personal contact, including:
- Direct skin-to-skin contact with Mpox rash or scabs from a person with Mpox
- Contact with saliva, upper respiratory secretions (snot, mucus), and bodily fluids or lesions around the anus, rectum, or vagina from a person with Mpox
- Pregnant people with Mpox can pass the virus to the fetus during pregnancy or to the newborn during and after birth.
Direct contact can happen during intimate contact, including:
- Oral, anal, or vaginal sex, or touching the genitals (penis, testicles, labia, and vagina) or anus
- Hugging, massage, and kissing
- Prolonged face-to-face interactions (such as talking or breathing)
Touching Objects Mpox virus can spread to anyone through contact with objects, fabrics, and surfaces that have not been disinfected after use by someone with mpox. This includes items like clothing, bedding, towels, fetish gear, or sex toys.
When can a person spread Mpox?
- From the time symptoms start until the rash has fully healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed.
- Some people can spread mpox to others from 1 to 4 days before they have symptoms.
- Currently, no evidence suggests that people who never have symptoms can spread the virus to someone else. CDC is monitoring the latest information about how Mpox spreads.
Mpox can spread from animals to people in a few ways:
- Through small wild animals in West and Central Africa, where mpox is endemic (found naturally).
- Direct close contact with an infected animal, fluids or waste, or getting bitten or scratched.
- During activities like hunting, trapping, or processing infected wild animals in areas where Mpox is endemic.
People are less likely to get Mpox from a pet, but it’s possible. Close contact with a pet that is infected, including petting, cuddling, hugging, kissing, licking, and sharing sleeping spaces or food, can spread Mpox to a person.
To reduce the risk of spreading Mpox between animals and people:
- Avoid close contact with an animal that might have Mpox.
- Those who have Mpox should avoid contact with animals, including pets, to prevent spreading the virus to them.
Mpox symptoms
People with Mpox often get a rash that may be located on hands, feet, chest, face, or mouth or near the genitals, including the penis, testicles, labia, and vagina, and anus. The incubation period is 3–17 days. During this time, a person does not have symptoms and may feel fine.
- The rash will go through several stages, including scabs, before healing.
- The rash can initially look like pimples or blisters and may be painful or itchy.
Other symptoms of Mpox can include
- Fever
- Chills
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Exhaustion
- Muscle aches and backache
- Headache
- Respiratory symptoms (e.g., sore throat, nasal congestion, or cough)
You may experience all or only a few symptoms.
How long do Mpox symptoms last?
Typically, mpox symptoms start within 21 days of exposure to the virus. If you have flu-like symptoms, you will likely develop a rash 1–4 days later. If you have symptoms, such as a rash, visit a healthcare provider. A person with Mpox can spread it to others from the time symptoms start until the rash has fully healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed.
New data show that some people can spread Mpox to others from one to four days before their symptoms appear. It’s not clear how many people this has affected during the ongoing global outbreak that began in 2022. There is currently no evidence showing that people who never have symptoms have spread the virus to someone else. CDC will continue to monitor the latest information about how Mpox spreads.
You should NOT get the vaccine if:
You had a severe allergic reaction (such as anaphylaxis) after getting a previous dose of the JYNNEOS vaccine or to a vaccine component.
Talk to your healthcare provider if you had an allergic reaction to the antibiotics gentamicin or ciprofloxacin, or chicken or egg protein.
