Mpox
What is mpox?
Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) is a viral disease caused by the mpox virus, which is related to the viruses that cause smallpox and cowpox, but not to chickenpox. Despite the name, “monkeypox,” the exact source of the virus remains unknown.
The first human case was recorded in 1970, and since then, mpox has been reported in countries across central and west Africa and, more recently, has spread globally, with major outbreaks occurring in 2022 and 2024.
While generally milder than smallpox, mpox typically causes a similar rash with milder symptoms. Severity and fatality rates vary depending on the strain: the clade II strain responsible for the 2022 global outbreak is rarely fatal, while the clade I strain circulating in central Africa carries a higher risk of serious illness and death, particularly in children and people with weakened immune systems.
On this page, you can explore how mpox spreads, who is at risk, what the symptoms are, how to prevent mpox, and information on mpox outbreaks.
The first human case was recorded in 1970, and since then, mpox has been reported sporadically in some countries.
How does mpox spread?
Mpox spreads through close, direct contact. The most common ways include:
- Skin-to-skin contact with the rash, blisters, scabs, or bodily fluids of a person who has mpox, including during intimate or sexual contact
- Contaminated materials such as bedding, clothing, or towels that have been used by someone with mpox
- Infected animals through bites, scratches, or handling, particularly in parts of central and west Africa
- Pregnancy and childbirth, mpox can pass the virus to a fetus or newborn
Mpox does not spread easily through the air. Casual, brief contact, such as passing someone in a hallway or being in the same room, is not considered a significant risk for transmission.
Anyone can contract mpox, although the illness is generally not life-threatening. However, certain groups may be at higher risk for severe illness, including:
- People with severely weakened immune systems
- Young children, especially those under 8 years of age
- People with eczema or other active skin conditions (such as psoriasis, burns, or impetigo), which can allow the virus to spread more easily across the skin
- Pregnant people
What are the symptoms of this disease?
The symptoms of mpox infection include:
- People often get a rash that can look like pimples or blisters that appear on the face, inside of mouth, and on other parts of the body like hands, feet, chest, genitals, or anus. The rash is often painful before becoming itchy as it heals.
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle aches and backache
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Chills
- Exhaustion
- Sore throat, nasal congestion, or cough
The illness typically lasts 2–4 weeks. Most people develop flu-like symptoms 1–4 days before a rash appears, though in some cases the rash comes first or flu-like symptoms may not appear at all.
How can I prevent this disease?
There are vaccines available to prevent mpox. In consultation with their healthcare provider, people at higher risk for infection may consider vaccination. The mpox vaccines can also prevent infection if given immediately after exposure to an infected person.
Who is at higher risk for being infected by this virus?
- Those identified by public health officials as a contact of someone with confirmed mpox
- Those who had contact with someone who had a rash that looks like mpox or someone who has been diagnosed with mpox
- Thoe who had multiple sexual partners in the past 2 weeks in an area with known mpox
- Those who have jobs that may expose them to orthopox viruses, such as laboratory workers who handle orthopoxvirus samples and some designated healthcare or public health workers
How common are mpox outbreaks?
The most recent large outbreak occurred in the summer of 2022, in which mpox spread across several countries that do not normally report mpox, including the United States. This outbreak mainly impacted people who reported having close, sustained physical contact with other people who have mpox. Due to a tremendous public health response in 2022 – 2023, low-level transmission of mpox is occurring in the US
While many of those affected in this outbreak were men who have sex with men, anyone who has been in close contact with someone who has mpox can get the illness.
To learn more about current mpox outbreaks and spread, visit CDC’s Mpox in the United States and Around the World: Current Situation web page.
Immunization Schedules
To ensure that your family is up to date on their vaccines, view or download the childhood and adult immunization schedules and talk to your healthcare provider.
