Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a viral disease similar to smallpox but generally less severe. It is zoonotic, meaning it can spread from vertebrate animals to humans and vice versa. First identified in 1958 in monkeys and later in humans in 1970, mpox has historically been endemic to Africa but has recently spread globally due to international travel and other factors. Vaccines are now widely available in the U.S., and with knowledge of the basics, folks can prevent or treat mpox.
Mpox is endemic to Africa, with most cases occurring in the Democratic Republic of the Congo where the virus was first identified in humans in 1970. Since 2016, cases in other African countries have been increasing, and as most cases occur in rural areas, the number is likely drastically underreported. Although there are many complex reasons for this increase, eradicating smallpox likely increased the number of mpox cases as it eliminated the virus's natural competition.
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