Monkeypox is a rare illness, sometimes described as a milder form of
smallpox, that is caused by a virus.
Where Does Monkeypox Occur?
Monkeypox occurs mainly in the rain forest countries of central and west Africa. Monkeypox was first discovered in laboratory monkeys in 1958. Blood tests of animals in Africa later found evidence of monkeypox infection in a number of African rodents. The virus that causes monkeypox was recovered from an African squirrel. Laboratory studies showed that the virus could also infect mice, rats, and rabbits. In 1970, monkeypox was reported in humans for the first time.
In June 2003, monkeypox was reported in prairie dogs and humans in the United States.
Monkeypox is caused by Monkeypox virus. The Monkeypox virus is within the family Poxviridae and the genus Orthopoxvirus. Other orthopoxviruses that cause infections in humans include:
Monkeypox transmission can happen either from animal to human or less commonly, from human to human.
Animal to Human
Monkeypox can spread to humans from an infected animal through an animal bite or direct contact with the animal's lesions or body fluids.
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