5 things to know about monkeypox:
- Monkeypox is a large DNA virus belonging to the orthopoxvirus family. Unlike the related smallpox virus, variola, which only affected humans, monkeypox virus is found in rodents and other animals in parts of Africa.
- While orthopoxviruses do not mutate much, multiple mutations have been described in the virus causing the current outbreak. In the US, at least two separate strains have been circulating.
- Since the incubation period of monkeypox is usually from 6 to 13 days, it takes an average 8.5 days from infection to showing symptoms.
- The rash caused by monkeypox usually looks like fluid-filled blisters that erupt. People are infectious while they have the rash, and are usually infectious for about two weeks.
- Past vaccination against smallpox provides 85% protection against monkeypox, according to experts quoted by PTI.
