In regions where the virus is present in animals, mpox is classified as a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be transmitted from animals to humans.
It is predominantly found in tropical rainforests across central, eastern, and western Africa, where small mammals like squirrels, Gambian pouched rats, dormice, and various monkey species may act as carriers.
Since May 2022, mpox has seen a global spread, with cases emerging in countries where transmission was previously undocumented.
Currently, most cases are transmitted between people rather than from animals.
Symptoms
Mpox usually manifests with symptoms such as fever, a rash that resembles pimples or blisters, and swollen lymph nodes.
Symptoms typically emerge within a week after exposure but can take anywhere from 1 to 21 days to develop.
The illness often begins with a feverish phase lasting 1 to 3 days, during which individuals may experience severe headache, swollen lymph nodes, back pain, muscle aches, and extreme fatigue.
This initial phase is followed by the skin eruption stage, which can last from 2 to 4 weeks.
During this stage, lesions progress from macules (flat lesions) to papules (raised, painful lesions), then to vesicles (fluid-filled), followed by pustules (filled with pus), and ultimately form scabs or crusts. Scarring may occur, and for some individuals, the rash is the first noticeable symptom of mpox.