Mpox Basics

About Mpox

Mpox is a contagious rash illness caused by the mpox virus. It's primarily spread by close personal contact with someone who has mpox, including sexual and intimate contact. The virus can also spread from animals to people.  

There are two types of the mpox virus: clade I and clade II. Clade I mpox spreads more easily and historically has caused more severe illness and deaths than clade II mpox. Recent data show that clade I infections in the current outbreak may not be as severe as in previous outbreaks. 

Mpox Outbreaks  

Since 2022, there has been an outbreak of mpox in areas where mpox was not commonly seen. This includes Europe, Canada, and the United States, including Virginia. This outbreak is caused by clade II.

The large ongoing outbreak in the Central and Eastern Africa is caused by clade I.  

  • On August 14, 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared mpox to be a public health emergency of international concern. The declaration is WHO’s highest level of alert for countries around the world. 
  • On August 15, 2024, the first clade I mpox case reported outside of Africa was in Sweden. Since then, other countries have reported clade I cases.
  • On November 16, 2024, CDC and the California Department of Public Health announced the first known clade I mpox case in the U.S. The patient had recently traveled from Eastern Africa where there is an ongoing clade I mpox outbreak.
  • The risk of clade I mpox to the public in the U.S. remains low.  

Symptoms of Mpox

How Mpox is Spread

Preventing Mpox

If You Were Exposed to Mpox

If You're Sick

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VDH MPox Bot
Last Updated: December 9, 2024