Monkeypox is a rare disease that is caused by infection with the monkeypox virus. Monkeypox virus belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus which includes the variola (smallpox) virus as well as the vaccinia virus, which is used in the smallpox vaccine. Monkeypox can be spread from infected humans, animals, and materials contaminated with the virus. In May 2022, cases of Monkeypox were identified outside of Africa unrelated to travel or animal exposure. This outbreak has grown considerably since then, with over 25,000 global cases and 7000 in the United States alone.
