A viral zoonotic disease caused by the monkeypox virus. The 2022 global outbreak led to widespread vaccination campaigns using modified vaccinia vaccines.
Mpox (formerly monkeypox) is a viral disease caused by the monkeypox virus, which belongs to the orthopoxvirus family (the same family as smallpox). It was first discovered in 1958 in monkeys kept for research, and the first human case was reported in 1970 (CDC, 2024).
The 2022-2023 global outbreak was caused by the Clade IIb strain and spread primarily through close sexual contact. Over 87,000 cases were reported globally during this outbreak. The disease is characterized by fever, headache, muscle aches, and a distinctive rash.