Stay Safe from Monkeypox: What You Should Know About Monkeypox Disease

• The clinical appearance of monkeypox mirrors that of smallpox, a similar orthopoxvirus illness that has been eliminated. Smallpox was more readily spread and more frequently lethal as roughly 30 percent of patients perished. The final instance of spontaneously acquired smallpox occurred in 1977, and in 1980 smallpox was reported to have been eliminated globally following a global campaign of vaccination and containment. It has been 40 or more years since all nations halted regular smallpox immunization using vaccinia-based vaccines. As immunization also protected against monkeypox in west and central Africa, unvaccinated populations are now more vulnerable to monkeypox virus infection.

• Whereas smallpox no longer occurs naturally, the global health sector remains attentive in the case it may resurface by natural causes, laboratory accidents, or purposeful release. To assure worldwide preparation in the case of a reemergence of smallpox, additional vaccinations, diagnostics, and antiviral medicines are being developed. These may also now be effective for the prevention and control of monkeypox.

Learn how to stay safe and protect yourself and your loved ones.