Monkeypox
What is Monkeypox? Monkeypox is an illness caused by the monkeypox virus. (Monkeypox virus (MPXV) is an enveloped double-stranded DNA virus that belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus of the Poxviridae family). It is a viral zoonotic infection, meaning that it can spread from animals to humans. It can also spread from person to person. How is it transmitted? Human-to-human transmission is known to occur primarily through large respiratory droplets As such, transmission generally requires prolonged close contact with an infected individual. It can be transmitted through direct contact with body fluids or lesion material, and indirect contact with lesion material, such as through contaminated clothing or linens of an infected person. Who is at risk of catching Monkeypox? People who live with or have close contact (including sexual contact) with someone who has monkeypox, or who has regular contact with animals who could be infected, are most at risk. Health workers should follow infection pr