Mpox

A viral infection caused by the monkeypox virus (clades I and II). Most people recover fully, but illness can be more severe in people with weakened immunity, pregnant women and young children.

How it spreads

Close contact with an infected person’s rash, body fluids or respiratory secretions (including sexual contact), contaminated clothing or bedding; also from infected animals.

Common symptoms

Rash (which may be limited to the genital or oral area), fever, swollen lymph nodes, headache, muscle aches, fatigue; the rash progresses from flat spots to blisters, pustules and scabs.

When to seek care

Extensive or very painful rash, eye involvement, breathing difficulty, altered consciousness, inability to eat or drink; people with weakened immunity (including transplant recipients on immunosuppressants) should seek care early.

Prevention & treatment

Avoid close contact with anyone who has a rash, do not share clothing or bedding, hand hygiene; vaccines are offered to people at high risk and contacts according to national policy.

Unknowns & ongoing research

Differences in transmissibility and severity between clades, long-term vaccine protection and optimal treatment in immunocompromised people are still under study.

Related WHO notices

WHO Disease Outbreak News · Last successful update on this site: 2026-11-12 01:10 UTC

Official sources & interactive data