Mpox originates from the Mpox virus, which belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus of the Poxviridae family.1, 2, 3 Other Orthopoxvirus species include the variola virus (the now eradicated smallpox virus), vaccinia virus (a virus used in the creation of the smallpox vaccine), and cowpox virus.1, 2, 3 The identified clades consist of the West African clade and the Congo Basin clade, each with varying fatality rates of 1% and 10%, respectively.1, 2, 3, 4 Since the eradication of smallpox in 1980, the Mpox virus has emerged as the most relevant Orthopoxvirus infection in humans.
O'Neill, M., LePage, T., Bester, V., Yoon, H., Browne, F., & Nemec, E. (2023). Mpox (formally known as monkeypox). Physician Assistant Clinics, 8(3):483-494. Doi: 10.1016/j.cpha.2023.02.008
Version posted is from the open access Elsevier - PMC Mpox Collection.
Available online 3 April 2023, Version of Record 11 May 2023.
Molly O'Neill and Tricia LePage are students in the Physician Assistant program at Sacred Heart University.