Monkeypox
CDC fact sheet

Stephen B. Thacker CDC Library collection

What is monkeypox? -- Is there monkeypox in the United States? -- What causes monkeypox? -- What are the signs and symptoms of monkeypox? -- Can you die from monkeypox? -- How do you catch monkeypox? -- How do you treat monkeypox? --

Monkeypox is a rare viral disease that occurs mostly in central and western Africa. It is called “monkeypox” because it was first found in 1958 in laboratory monkeys. Blood tests of animals in Africa later found that other types of animals probably had monkeypox. Scientists also recovered the virus that causes monkeypox from an African squirrel. These types of squirrels might be the common host for the disease. Rats, mice, and rabbits can get monkeypox, too. Monkeypox was reported in humans for the first time in 1970.