What is Monkeypox?

Close-up of monkeypox lesions on the arm and leg.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control has issued an advisory pertaining to monkeypox after a confirmed case in Massachusetts in an individual who recently travelled to Canada.

Canada's Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam says there are a couple dozen cases in Canada and that the federal government is monitoring cases.

Over the past few weeks, there have been multiple clusters of monkeypox reported in several countries that don’t normally report monkeypox, including Portugal, Spain, and the United Kingdom.

The CDC said, "anyone, regardless of sexual orientation, can spread monkeypox through contact with body fluids, monkeypox sores, or shared items (such as clothing and bedding) that have been contaminated with fluids or sores of a person with monkeypox. Monkeypox virus can also spread between people through respiratory droplets typically in a close setting, such as the same household or a healthcare setting. Common household disinfectants can kill the monkeypox virus."

What is Monkeypox?

Monkeypox is a rare but potentially serious viral illness that typically begins with flu-like illness and swelling of the lymph nodes and progresses to a widespread rash on the face and body.