On August 14, the World Health Organization declared MPOX, also known as monkeypox, a global health emergency for the first time in three years.
The declaration comes following outbreaks in 13 African countries, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and the Central African Republic.
The last time there was a global MPOX emergency was just two years ago, in 2022. More than 17,000 cases were reported across Africa in 2024, according to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Here’s everything you need to know about the outbreak and the virus.
How is monkeypox transmitted?
There are two types of MPOX: Clade I and Clade II. Clade I causes more severe illness and death and occurs most often in Central Africa. Clade II is what caused the pandemic in 2022. It causes less severe infections and occurs most often in West Africa.
Both strains can be spread by direct contact with infected wild animals, MPOX-infected people, or contaminated materials, and also during prolonged face-to-face interactions such as talking or breathing.
Is monkeypox prevalent in the United States?
The World Health Organization has declared the MPOX epidemic a global health emergency, as the outbreak continues in Africa.
Despite outbreaks in Africa, as of last week there had been no recorded cases of lineage I in the United States. Federal officials have said the risk of a major outbreak in the United States is low. A few cases of lineage II mpox are reported in the United States each week.
The CDC Health Alert and Travel Notice for MPOX of lineage I in Central Africa and neighboring countries. Healthcare workers and health authorities are encouraged to monitor for symptoms and ask patients about recent travel to affected areas.
What are the symptoms of monkeypox?
According to the CDC:MPOX infection usually causes a rash on the hands, feet, chest, face, mouth, and genitals. The incubation period is 3-17 days, during which time the person will be asymptomatic and will feel well.
Other symptoms of mpox include:
- heat
- cold
- Swollen lymph nodes
- fatigue
- Muscle and back pain
- headache
- Respiratory problems such as sore throat, stuffy nose, and cough
Symptoms usually begin within 21 days of exposure to the virus, and if you have flu-like symptoms, you’re likely to develop a rash within four days.
How do you test for monkeypox?
It is only recommended that you get tested if you have a rash consistent with mpox, which is done through your healthcare provider.
To test for the virus, a medical professional will take a sample, which is done by swabbing a lesion from the rash, and send it to a laboratory, where the results will be returned within a few days.
How is monkeypox treated?
There is currently no cure for MPOX. However, there is a vaccine that you can get to prevent contracting the disease. Once you receive the two doses of the vaccine, you won’t have to worry about contracting it.
There is no cure, but because the viruses are similar, doctors are testing a drug called TPOXX, used to treat smallpox, to see if it could be effective against measles.
