Is Monkeypox contagious from human to human?

The monkeypox virus causes human monkeypox (MPX), a zoonotic viral disease (MPXV). MPX cases have increased in several African countries since it was first recognised as a human disease in 1970, owing to a combination of factors including increased exposure as well as improved surveillance and laboratory capacity in the African region.

Monkeypox is not easily transmitted between people. Human-to-human transmission occurs via close contact with infectious material from an infected person’s skin lesions, respiratory droplets in prolonged face-to-face contact, and fomites.

The current outbreak’s predominance of diagnosed human MPX cases among men who have sex with men, as well as the nature of the presenting lesions in some cases, suggest that transmission occurred during sexual intercourse.

Human monkeypox frequently begins with a slew of symptoms, including fever, headache, chills, exhaustion, asthenia, lymph node swelling, back pain, and muscle aches.

Infected people should stay isolated until the scabs fall off and should avoid close contact with immunocompromised people and pets. It is also advised to avoid sexual activity and close physical contact until the rash heals.