Monkeypox infection is caused by the monkeypox virus, a member of the Orthopoxvirus genus, which is related to the smallpox virus. The infection originates primarily from contact with infected animals or humans carrying the virus. Although the name “monkeypox” suggests monkeys as the source, the virus is actually more commonly found in certain rodents and small mammals, such as squirrels, which serve as the natural reservoirs in parts of Central and West Africa.
The virus can enter the human body through several routes. One common way is through direct contact with the blood, bodily fluids, or skin or mucosal lesions of infected animals. This can happen through bites, scratches, or handling of wild animals that carry the virus. People living in or visiting forested areas where these animals are found are at higher risk of acquiring the infection from animal sources.
Human-to-human transmission occurs mainly through close physical contact. This includes skin-to-skin contact with the rash or lesions of an infected person, contact with bodily fluids, or exposure to respiratory droplets during prolonged face-to-face interaction. Sexual contact has also been identified as a significant mode of transmission, especially involving contact with lesions in the genital or oral areas. The virus can also spread through contact with contaminated materials such as bedding, clothing, or other objects that have been in contact with the infected person’s lesions or fluids.
Transmission from mother to child is possible during pregnancy or childbirth, which can lead to serious complications for both the baby and the mother. In newborns, close contact with an infected mother can also transmit the virus, so precautions such as separation during the infectious period are recommended to prevent neonatal infection.
The incubation period for monkeypox typically ranges from 6 to 13 days but can be as short as 1 day or as long as 21 days. After this period, symptoms usually begin with fever, headache, muscle aches, and swollen lymph nodes, followed by the development of a characteristic rash that progresses through several stages before healing.
The virus is generally not highly contagious compared to some other viruses. Respiratory transmission via droplets requires close and prolonged contact, making casual transmission less common. However, people who live with or care for infected individuals, sexual partners, and healthcare workers are at higher risk due to their close and repeated exposure.
Monkeypox infection is usually self-limiting, lasting two to four weeks, but it can be more severe in children, pregnant women, and individuals with weakened immune systems. The severity and fatality rates vary depending on the viral clade involved, with some strains causing more serious illness than others.
In summary, monkeypox infection is caused by a virus transmitted from infected animals, primarily rodents and small mammals, to humans, and then spreads between humans mainly through close physical contact involving skin lesions, bodily fluids, or respiratory droplets during prolonged exposure. Sexual contact and mother-to-child transmission are also important routes. The virus enters the body through broken skin, mucous membranes, or respiratory pathways, leading to an illness characterized by fever and a distinctive rash.
