Mpox

Monkeypox virus, first identified in 1958 as a pathogen of cynomolgus monkeys, is an orthopoxvirus.

Human monkeypox is a rare zoonotic viral disease that occurs primarily in the rain forest countries of central and west Africa. It was associated with human illness in Zaire and West Africa during 1970-1971. A second outbreak was identified in Zaire in 1996-1997.

In humans, the illness produces a vesicular and pustular rash similar to that of smallpox. Limited person-to-person spread of infection has been reported in disease-endemic areas in Africa; the incubation period is about 12 days. Case-fatality ratios in Africa have ranged from 1% to 10% (for additional information about monkeypox, see www.cdc.gov/ncidod/eid/vol7no3/hutin.htm).

As of June 7 2003, cases of suspected monkeypox had been reported among residents of Wisconsin (17), northern Illinois (1), and northwestern Indiana (1). Onset of illness among patients began in early May. Patients typically experienced a prodrome consisting of fever, headaches, myalgias, chills, and drenching sweats. Roughly one-third of patients had nonproductive cough. This prodromal phase was followed 1-10 days later by the development of a papular rash that typically progressed through stages of vesiculation, pustulation, umbilication, and crusting. In some patients, early lesions have become ulcerated. Rash distribution and lesions have occurred on head, trunk, and extremities; many of the patients had initial and satellite lesions on palms and soles and extremities. Rashes were generalized in some patients. After onset of the rash, patients have generally manifested rash lesions in different stages. All patients reported direct or close contact with prairie dogs, most of which were sick. Illness in prairie dogs was frequently reported as beginning with a blepharoconjunctivitis, progressing to presence of nodular lesions in some cases. Some prairie dogs have died from the illness, while others reportedly recovered.

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Note: much of the original text of this article is taken from public domain CDC and NIH sources.