What to know about the monkeypox virus
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Monkeypox is a zoonotic virus, which transmits disease from animals to humans, with symptoms very similar to smallpox but less severe
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MONKEYPOX ORIGINS
Discovered in 1958 in colonies of research monkeys. First human case identified in 1970 in Democratic Republic of Congo

Occurs mostly in remote parts of Central and West Africa

Virus has two main types – West African strain thought to be milder than Central African variant
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D.R. Congo
Strains
West African
Central African
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GENERAL SYMPTOMS
     
Incubation: Time from infection to symptoms can range from 5-21 days
                        
Initial illness: Fever, headache, muscle aches, swellings, exhaustion
               
Itchy rash: May develop on face, then spread to hands and feet
        
Lesions: Go through various stages until scabs form and fall off. Lesions can cause scarring
           
Outcome: Illness typically lasts for 2-4 weeks. In Africa, monkeypox has been shown to be fatal in up to 1 in 10 people who contract disease

Treatment: Smallpox vaccine proven to be 85% effective against monkeypox. Antiviral drugs could help relieve symptoms
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HUMAN-TO-HUMAN TRANSMISSION

Via respiratory droplets – requires prolonged face-to-face contact
  
Close contact with body fluids or lesions, or by touching contaminated clothing or bedding

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Sources: BBC, CDC, PLOS, WHO Picture: Getty Images © GRAPHIC NEWS