Mpox (Monkeypox)

Mpox is a viral illness caused by the monkeypox virus, first identified in humans in 1970 in Central Africa. In 2022 it spread worldwide for the first time, and cases were concentrated among gay and bisexual men and other men who have sex with men, largely through close skin-to-skin contact during sex. The World Health Organization began using the name mpox in late 2022 to reduce stigma and confusion tied to the older term. Community groups, clinics, and health departments helped by sharing clear information and pushing for fair access to the two-dose vaccine and treatment. Symptoms can include a painful rash or sores, fever, and swollen lymph nodes. Naming the affected community mattered for outreach without fueling blame.