Mpox, also known as Monkeypox is a rare disease that commonly affects rats, and monkeys, but can also affect humans. Mpox usually affects people living in parts of central and western Africa, people who have traveled to these areas or have been exposed to infected animals from these areas.

Mpox is spread by close, personal contact with infected animals or people. It can also spread through contact with clothing material that an infected person has been in contact with like blankets and towels.

Mpox spreads between people through:

• Having direct contact with rashes, scabs, or bodily fluids like sweat.
• Being in close contact for more than 4 hours with respiratory droplets from a person who has Mpox.
• Contact with any cloth material that has been in contact with the infected person’s bodily fluid or rashes.
• From the pregnant person to the fetus.

Mpox spreads from an animal to a person by:

• Bites or scratches
• Wild game cooked for food
• Having direct contact with animal body fluids, or rashes that have Mpox.

Mpox symptoms usually start 5 to 21 days after being exposed, and symptoms may last 2 to 4 weeks. Symptoms include:

• Fever
• Skin rash
• Headache
• Muscle aches and backaches
• Chills
• Tiredness
• Swollen lymph nodes

One to 4 days after developing a fever, you may develop a rash that may appear on the face, hands, abdomen, legs, and other parts of your body. Once you develop symptoms, you can spread the virus to other people for as long as you have symptoms.

Possible Serious Complications

Mpox complications are rare but they can happen. Complications caused by Mpox include:

• Severe scars on the face, arms, and legs
• Blindness
• Other infections
• Death, in rare cases

Treatment

Most people get better on their own. Antiviral medicines are recommended for people who have a weakened immune system.

Vaccine

JYNNEOS is the vaccine that provides protection against Mpox. The vaccine is given before exposure to Mpox or within 4 days of exposure. Two doses are given 28 days apart.