Mpox is an infectious disease caused by a virus. Mpox (previously known as monkeypox) is transmitted primarily from animals to humans, but it can also be transmitted between humans, particularly in direct contact with skin lesions of a patient, and also as droplet transmission in sustained facial close contact. As a rule, mpox is poorly transmitted in contact between humans. In 2022 most infections outside Africa were contracted during sex. The cutaneous symptoms usually manifest 1-3 days after the start of fever. A vesicle type rash appears particularly in the face, hand and feet areas. Usually the disease is self-limiting when the symptoms have lasted 2-4 weeks. Mpox can also cause a serious disease particularly in those with a weakened immune defense. In Finland the mpox vaccine is given to people who are exposed to mpox or belong to a risk group.
