Illustration of Mpox viruses. The Mpox virus, previously known as monkeypox, is an oval-shaped virus measuring 200-400 nanometres in length. It consists of a core, lateral bodies, an outer membrane, and a lipoprotein envelope with surface tubular proteins. This virus is typically found near rainforests in Central and West Africa and primarily infects rodents, although it can also cause disease in humans and monkeys. It is capable of human-to-human transmission. In humans, it leads to symptoms such as fever, swollen glands, and a rash of fluid-filled blisters. Approximately 10 per cent of cases are fatal. |