Mpox in 2025: Everything You Need to Know

Why Mpox Still Matters

Mpox, once called monkeypox, made headlines in 2022 when it spread worldwide. By March 25, 2025, it’s still around—not a global crisis like COVID-19, but worth understanding.

• What is Mpox? A virus related to smallpox, but much milder.
• How does it spread? Close contact, not through the air like a cold.
• Can you prevent it? Yes! Vaccines, hygiene, and smart precautions help.

Let’s break it down in simple terms so you stay informed.

What Is Mpox?

Mpox comes from the monkeypox virus, which was first found in lab monkeys in 1958. But rodents—like African rats and squirrels—are the real carriers.

There are two types of Mpox:

• Clade I (Central Africa) – More dangerous, up to 10% fatality rate.
• Clade II (West Africa) – Milder, with less than 1% fatality rate.

The 2022 outbreak was caused by Clade IIb, while a deadlier Clade Ib appeared in 2024 in Congo, causing over 600 deaths.

How Does Mpox Spread?

Mpox doesn’t spread easily like the flu. You need close, direct contact to catch it:

✅ Touching infected skin, sores, or body fluids
✅ Sharing contaminated items (towels, bedsheets, clothes)
✅ Prolonged face-to-face exposure (droplets—not airborne)
✅ Animal bites or scratches (mainly in Africa)

Mpox isn’t technically an STD, but skin-to-skin contact during sex played a role in the 2022 outbreak. The virus can stay on surfaces for days, so hygiene matters!

Mpox Symptoms: What to Watch For

Mpox symptoms appear 5 to 21 days after infection and last 2 to 4 weeks.

Early Symptoms (Flu-Like)

• Fever & chills
• Headaches & body aches
• Swollen lymph nodes (unlike smallpox)

The Rash

• Starts as flat red spots, then turns into pus-filled blisters
• Often appears on the face, hands, feet, or genitals first
• Eventually scabs over and heals

💡 Some people in 2022 only got genital rashes—without fever!

How Do Doctors Test for Mpox?

Doctors swab a sore for a PCR test (like a COVID test but for Mpox). Blood tests don’t work well because the virus disappears quickly from the bloodstream.

Mpox Treatment: What Helps?

There’s no cure, but most people recover with home care:

• Rest & stay hydrated
• Pain relievers (like ibuprofen)
• Antibiotics (if sores get infected)

For severe cases, doctors may use Tecovirimat (TPOXX), a drug made for smallpox, but it’s not 100% proven.

Clade I is deadlier, especially in children and people with weak immune systems.

Mpox Vaccine & Prevention: Stay Safe

✅ The best defense? The Mpox vaccine!

• JYNNEOS (2-dose vaccine) → 66–85% protection
• ACAM2000 (smallpox vaccine) → Effective but has more side effects

💉 If you get vaccinated within 4–14 days of exposure, it can reduce symptoms.

How to Avoid Mpox

✔ Wash hands often
✔ Avoid skin contact with infected people
✔ Don’t share towels, bedding, or clothing
✔ Clean contaminated surfaces

Masks won’t help much—it’s about direct contact!

Mpox from 2022 to 2025: What’s Changed?

• 2022 – 90,000+ cases worldwide, mostly Clade IIb
• 2024 – Congo outbreak with deadlier Clade Ib
• 2025 – Scientists tracking virus changes since 2018

Mpox isn’t disappearing, but we have the tools to fight it.

Mpox: What You Should Know in 2025

• It spreads through close contact, not casual air transmission.
• Symptoms include fever, swollen glands, and a rash.
• Most people recover, but Clade I can be deadly.
• Vaccines and hygiene are the best protection.

Mpox is not a global emergency like COVID, but it’s still a serious health issue. Stay informed, stay safe!

Mpox FAQ: Your Questions Answered

1. What is Mpox, and How is it Different from Smallpox?

Mpox is a zoonotic disease caused by the monkeypox virus, belonging to the Orthopoxvirus family, the same as smallpox. However, there are key differences:

• Contagiousness: Smallpox spread easily through the air, while Mpox requires close contact for transmission.
• Severity: Mpox is less deadly, with a fatality rate of <1% (Clade II) to 3–10% (Clade I). Smallpox had a mortality rate of up to 30%.
• Symptoms: Mpox causes swollen lymph nodes, which are not seen in smallpox.

2. How Do I Know If I Have Mpox?

Look for the following symptoms:

✔ Early Symptoms: Fever, headache, muscle aches, and swollen lymph nodes.
✔ Later Symptoms: Rash that starts as flat spots, then turns into pustules and scabs.
✔ Where It Appears: Often on the face, hands, or genitals before spreading.
✔ Incubation Period: Symptoms appear 5–21 days after exposure and last 2–4 weeks.

If you suspect Mpox, consult a doctor for a PCR test (lesion swab). Self-diagnosis isn’t reliable since Mpox mimics chickenpox or syphilis.

3. Can Mpox Spread Through the Air Like COVID-19?

No, Mpox is not airborne like COVID-19. It spreads through:

• Direct contact with lesions, bodily fluids, or contaminated objects.
• Respiratory droplets, but only during prolonged face-to-face contact.

Casual encounters (e.g., passing someone in a store) pose minimal risk.

4. Is Mpox a Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD)?

No, but sexual contact can spread Mpox due to skin-to-skin contact.

• The 2022 outbreak affected sexual networks, especially among men who have sex with men.
• However, Mpox is not limited to any group—it spreads through any close physical contact.

5. Who Is Most at Risk for Mpox?

The highest-risk groups include:

• Close contacts of infected individuals (caregivers, household members).
• People handling animals in endemic regions (Central/West Africa).
• Immunocompromised individuals, children, and pregnant people, who may experience severe cases.

Since 2022, Mpox has spread beyond specific groups into the wider population.

6. Is There a Vaccine for Mpox?

Yes! Two vaccines provide protection:

• JYNNEOS (two doses): 66–85% effective against Mpox and smallpox. Can be given post-exposure within 4 days.
• ACAM2000: An older smallpox vaccine that also protects against Mpox but has more side effects.

Vaccines are prioritized for high-risk groups, and availability varies by country.

7. What Should I Do If I’ve Been Exposed to Mpox?

✔ Isolate immediately and monitor for symptoms for 21 days.
✔ If eligible, get the JYNNEOS vaccine within 4 days for best protection (up to 14 days may still help).
✔ Avoid touching others or sharing personal items until cleared.

8. How Deadly Is Mpox?

Mortality depends on the strain:

• Clade II (including 2022’s Clade IIb): Fatality rate <1%.
• Clade I (especially Clade Ib, emerging in 2024): 3–10% fatality rate, per WHO.

Most deaths occur in endemic regions or among high-risk individuals.

9. Can Animals Give Me Mpox?

Yes, in endemic areas (Central and West Africa), where rodents and small mammals are natural carriers.

• Transmission happens through bites, scratches, or handling infected animals.
• In non-endemic regions, pet-related cases are rare, but avoid sick animals.

10. Is There a Cure for Mpox?

No specific cure, but most cases recover with supportive care:

✔ Pain relief & hydration help manage symptoms.
✔ Tecovirimat (TPOXX) may be used for severe cases, though research is ongoing.
✔ Antibiotics treat secondary infections if they develop.

Recovery usually takes 2–4 weeks.

Final Thoughts

Mpox is less severe than smallpox but still requires early detection and precautions. If you suspect exposure, isolate, monitor symptoms, and consult a doctor. Vaccination remains the best prevention method, especially for high-risk groups.

For more updates, follow trusted sources like the WHO, CDC, and your local health department.