2022–2023 mpox outbreak in the Republic of Ireland

Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox)[8] is an infectious viral disease that can occur in humans and some other animals.[9] Symptoms include a rash that forms blisters and then crusts over, fever, and swollen lymph nodes.[9] The time from exposure to onset of symptoms ranges from five to twenty-one days and symptoms typically last from two to four weeks.[10][11] There may be mild symptoms, and it may occur without any symptoms being apparent.[10][12] Cases may be severe, especially in children, pregnant women or people with suppressed immune systems.[13]

The disease is caused by the monkeypox virus,[lower-alpha 1] a zoonotic virus in the genus Orthopoxvirus.[14] The variola virus, the causative agent of smallpox, is also in this genus.[15] It may spread from infected animals by handling infected meat or via bites or scratches.[16] Human-to-human transmission can occur through exposure to infected body fluids or contaminated objects, by small droplets, and possibly through the airborne route.[9][16] People can spread the virus from the onset of symptoms until all the lesions have scabbed and fallen off; with some evidence of spread for more than a week after lesions have crusted.[17] Diagnosis can be confirmed by testing a lesion for the virus's DNA.[18]

There is no known cure.[19] A study in 1988 found that the smallpox vaccine was around 85% protective in preventing infection in close contacts and in lessening the severity of the disease.[20] A newer smallpox and mpox vaccine based on modified vaccinia Ankara has been approved, but with limited availability.[10] Other measures include regular hand washing and avoiding sick people and animals.[21] Antiviral drugs, cidofovir and tecovirimat, vaccinia immune globulin and the smallpox vaccine may be used during outbreaks.[22][23] The illness is usually mild and most of those infected will recover within a few weeks without treatment.[23] Estimates of the risk of death vary from 1% to 10%, although few deaths as a consequence of mpox have been recorded since 2017.[24]