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Mpox is now readily spreading from person to person. It is mutating faster and the strains are more virulent.
Red-backed voles may be harboring Alaskapox.
iNaturalist Ecuador
Alaskapox was discovered in 2015 and has generally only caused mild illness – until now.
The goal of the public health emergency declaration is to prevent the monkeypox virus from becoming a widespread threat to public health.
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Declaring monkeypox a national health emergency will allow the U.S. government to direct resources and funds where needed to help slow the spread of the virus.
Monkeypox is caused by the monkeypox virus, which are the ovals and circles seen in this electron microscope image of the skin of a person infected with monkeypox.
Cynthia S. Goldsmith, Russell Regnery/CDC
The monkeypox virus, which is commonly found in West and Central Africa, is now causing many infections in the U.S., Europe and Latin America.