Infectious until the scabs fall off and new skin forms

Mpox — formerly called monkeypox — is caused by the monkeypox virus, in
the same family as smallpox. It is found regularly in parts of **Central,
Eastern and West Africa**, where the virus has been found in small rodents,
monkeys and other mammals, and outbreaks have reached many countries including
the United States.

Two clades, two severities

The infectious period is longer than the illness looks

**Someone with mpox can spread it from the time symptoms start until the rash
has fully healed, all scabs have fallen off, and a fresh layer of skin has
formed** — usually 2 to 4 weeks.

That is the key practical fact. The end point is not feeling better, and it is
not the rash scabbing over. It is new skin.

**And researchers have found that some people can spread mpox 1 to 4 days
before their symptoms appear.** How often that happens is not known.

How it spreads

Through close, personal contact:

• Direct contact with the rash, scabs or body fluids
• Breathing in the virus during prolonged, face-to-face contact
• Intimate physical contact — kissing, cuddling, hugging, massage, sex

Other routes:

• During pregnancy, from mother to fetus
• Touching items used by someone with the virus — clothes, bedding, towels
• From infected animals, by being scratched or bitten, or by preparing or
  eating meat or using products from the animal

Symptoms

Usually starting within 3 weeks of exposure.

A rash with sores that can look like pimples or blisters — on the face,
inside the mouth, and on the hands, feet, chest, genitals or anus. It moves
through stages, including scabs, before healing, which takes 2 to 4 weeks.

Along with fever and chills.

Source: MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine.