What is mpox?

Mpox is a disease that can spread from animals to people and between people. It spreads through close contact, like kissing, touching, or sexual contact. It can also spread through things like clothes, bedding, or surfaces that have the virus on them. In healthcare settings, it can spread through injuries from sharp objects.

Mpox is caused by a virus and has symptoms similar to smallpox. It can be especially severe in children, those with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women.

In areas where the virus is found in wildlife, people can catch it by touching those animals directly.

Keep reading to learn how mpox is transmitted and how YOU can help stop the spread and protect yourself and your community.

How is mpox transmitted?

Mpox spreads mainly through close contact with someone who has it. Transmission can happen through various forms of close contact, including skin-to-skin contact, kissing and sexual contact.

There is still a lot we don't know about how the virus spreads, how serious the illness is, how well we can diagnose it, and how it acts in different parts of the world.

This information comes from the World Health Organization (WHO) and gets updated as we learn more.

Globally, experts are working hard to understand the disease, improve testing, and make sure we act quickly to stop outbreaks.UNICEF is especially worried about how mpox affects children, especially those in communities that don't have enough support.

What are the symptoms of mpox?

Mpox causes symptoms that are like smallpox, but usually not as bad. Symptoms to look out for include:

• skin rash,
• fever,
• sore throat,
• headache,
• body aches,
• back pain,
• feeling really tired, and
• swollen glands.

If you have these symptoms, it’s important to get medical help right away and stay in your own room if you can. Try to open windows to let in fresh air.

Babies, children, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and people with weak immune systems are more likely to get seriously sick from mpox.