Mpox was formerly known as ‘monkeypox’. It spreads through close personal contact and its initial symptoms are flu-like: fever, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle weakness, etc.

Among the spate of illnesses afflicting different parts of the world is mpox, whose cases have been steadily rising in the US. According to a CNN report, mpox cases in the country are ‘twice as high’ as they were at this time last year. As such, experts have stressed on the importance of improving vaccination coverage as the risk of transmission goes up. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that there have been 511 cases reported this year through March 16, as compared to less than 300 cases by late March 2023. Per the CNN report, relatively-low vaccination rates in the country may put lives at risk.

What Is Mpox?

Mpox was formerly known as ‘monkeypox’. It is a less severe version of the now-eradicated smallpox virus. It spreads through close personal contact and its initial symptoms are flu-like: fever, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle weakness, etc. It is often followed by a rash with lesions and scabs that disappear over a few weeks. Read on to find out more about it.

History Of Mpox

According to the CDC, the first human case of mpox was recorded in 1970. Before the global outbreak that began in 2022, mpox was mostly found in central and western African countries. Cases in other parts of the world were ‘rare’, and usually linked to exposure to monkeypox virus from people travelling to, or animals being imported from, endemic regions for mpox.

Mpox Symptoms

People often get a rash on the hands, feet, chest, face, mouth, or near the genitals. The incubation period is 3-17 days, during which, a person does not have symptoms and may feel fine. The rash goes through several stages — including scabs — before healing, and it may initially look like pimples or blisters, with pain and itchiness. Besides some symptoms mentioned above, others associated with mpox include: swollen lymph nodes, exhaustion, backache, respiratory symptoms (sore throat, nasal congestion or cough).

How Does It Spread?

The CDC explains that mpox virus can spread through close, personal contact:

• Direct skin-to-skin contact with mpox rash or scabs.
• Contact with saliva, upper respiratory secretions (snot, mucus), and bodily fluids or lesions around the anus, rectum, or vagina from a person with mpox.
• Pregnant people with mpox can pass the virus to the fetus during pregnancy or to the newborn during and after birth.
• It can also spread through contact with objects, fabrics, and surfaces that have not been disinfected after use by someone with mpox: clothing, bedding, towels, etc.

Prevention

The way to prevent it is by getting vaccinated. Contact your nearby hospital to collect more information and understanding about doses.