mpox
MICROBIOLOGY
- DNA virus and a member of the orthopoxvirus genus of the Poxviridae family, monkeypox is similar to smallpox (variola virus), smallpox vaccine (vaccinia virus), and cowpox virus.
- In November 2022, the WHO renamed "monkeypox" to "MPOX," with some using the lowercase "mpox," allowing for a one-year transition during which both names would be recognized.
- The idea was to reduce the stigma and discrimination associated with the "monkeypox" name and ensure that the infection is not associated much with non-human primates.
- WHO is using Roman numerals for MPXV variants.
- The former Congo Basin (Central African) clade is now referred to as Clade I.
- Has high reported human-to-human transmission rates and mortality (up to 10%).
- It tends to affect children > adults, with higher mortality than Clade II.
- The former West African clade is Clade II.
- Clade IIa
- It causes a mild illness with limited human-to-human transmission and low mortality (~1-3%).
- Clade IIb refers to variants that circulated during the 2022 global outbreak.
- Clade IIa
- The former Congo Basin (Central African) clade is now referred to as Clade I.
- In November 2022, the WHO renamed "monkeypox" to "MPOX," with some using the lowercase "mpox," allowing for a one-year transition during which both names would be recognized.
- Although initially named monkeypox, the animal reservoir is believed to be African rodents; however, this has not been fully defined.
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Last updated: July 13, 2025
Citation
Auwaerter, Paul G. "Mpox." Johns Hopkins HIV Guide, The Johns Hopkins University, 2025. Johns Hopkins Guides, www.hopkinsguides.com/hopkins/view/Johns_Hopkins_HIV_Guide/545315/all/mpox.
Auwaerter PG. Mpox. Johns Hopkins HIV Guide. The Johns Hopkins University; 2025. https://www.hopkinsguides.com/hopkins/view/Johns_Hopkins_HIV_Guide/545315/all/mpox. Accessed October 5, 2025.
Auwaerter, P. G. (2025). Mpox. In Johns Hopkins HIV Guide. The Johns Hopkins University. https://www.hopkinsguides.com/hopkins/view/Johns_Hopkins_HIV_Guide/545315/all/mpox
Auwaerter PG. Mpox [Internet]. In: Johns Hopkins HIV Guide. The Johns Hopkins University; 2025. [cited 2025 October 05]. Available from: https://www.hopkinsguides.com/hopkins/view/Johns_Hopkins_HIV_Guide/545315/all/mpox.
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