Monkeypox is a disease caused by the monkeypox virus, itself a zoonotic disease that can infect certain animals, such as people.
The disease itself is nothing new. It was first identified in monkeys in the 1950s and the first human case was confirmed in 1970.
Despite being related to the incredibly deadly smallpox, monkeypox tends to essentially manifest as a milder version. Monkeypox produces similar skin lesions as well as rashes and blisters. Also experienced are flu-like symptoms. It ends to last 2-4 weeks.
Though still endemic to several parts of Africa, the disease gained newfound infamy in 2022 when cases began cropping up worldwide.
Despite its name, monkeypox is not believed to actually come from monkeys and likely comes from African rodents.
