The smallpox relative that is reshaping global public health

Science · Published 23 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is more than a rare tropical disease. It is a zoonotic infection belonging to the Orthopoxvirus genus, sharing a lineage with smallpox. While it often clears on its own, its ability to spread through close contact and its distinct clades make it a complex global health priority.

Mpox is caused by a virus belonging to the Poxviridae family, specifically the genus Orthopoxvirus. It is an enveloped double-stranded DNA virus. While it is closely related to smallpox, it is distinct in its clinical presentation and transmission dynamics. The virus is endemic in parts of Africa, where it circulates regularly, but it has the capacity to cause large-scale outbreaks in other regions.

The virus is categorized into two main clades: Clade I and Clade II. Clade I is most commonly found in central and east Africa, while Clade II has been found at low levels in many countries worldwide. A significant global outbreak of the Clade IIb strain began in 2022, affecting various countries. More recently, an upsurge of Clade Ia and Ib cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has raised significant concern, with Clade Ib being detected beyond Africa as of August 2024.

Transmission occurs primarily through close physical contact, including skin-to-skin contact, kissing, or contact with the respiratory particles of an infected person. It can also spread via contaminated materials like bedding or towels, or through contact with infected animals, such as rodents. While most people recover fully, the virus can be passed to fetuses during pregnancy or to newborns during birth. Vaccination and supportive care—focusing on hydration, nutrition, and pain management—are the primary pillars of the current public health response.

theme-case-study

perspective human-achievement

wisdom

General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.

Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?

Related

• Mpox was named after lab monkeys, though monkeys probably are not its source
• The virus named for monkeys is actually hosted by smaller mammals
• Why the recent monkeypox outbreak isn't as deadly as feared
• The 2024 mpox surge marks a shift toward higher transmissibility
• The fading shield: why losing smallpox immunity leaves us vulnerable to new outbreaks
• A twenty-year blueprint for the future of science education
• The private philanthropy fueling the frontiers of human biology
• How a single day of computing replaced 180 years of math
• The universe is pulling us toward a massive hidden destination
• What is the mysterious line appearing on a Super Blue Blood Moon photograph?
• The science of making sense of information
• The mathematical mystery behind United Kingdom bridge height signs

More in Science · Latest · A–Z · All topics