Monkeypox is a viral disease caused by the monkeypox virus (MPXV). Monkeypox occurs naturally in many parts of Africa, Central and South America, and Asia. It can be transmitted to humans through contact with infected animals (such as squirrels, rodents, and monkeys) or from direct contact with someone who has monkeypox.
There are two known strains of MPXV; one that infects humans and one that infects only animals (called variola minor). It is believed that the virus may have crossed over from animal hosts to humans multiple times throughout history without spreading widely among people.
How does monkeypox spread?
Monkeypox is typically transmitted to humans through direct contact with infected animals or their bodily fluids. It can also be transmitted by inhaling contaminated aerosols or droplets that have been expelled from an infected animal’s respiratory tract.
In rare cases, it may be transmitted via human-to-human contacts, such as when a person touches a lesion on an infected individual and then touches his own face or mouth. In general, people who contract monkeypox do so while handling dead or sick animals found in nature (such as rodents). For example, someone might handle a dead rodent without wearing gloves and then touch his eyes without washing his hands.
