Types of Monkeypox: Congo Basin and West Africa
Monkeypox is a viral disease that is characterized by two different strains: one that is found in the Congo basin and another that spreads in West Africa. While both strains can cause illness in humans, the type that occurs in the Congo basin is generally more severe compared to the one found in West Africa.
Interestingly, the strain responsible for the recent outbreak in 2022 appears to be more closely related to the milder West African strain. This suggests that the severity of the disease may vary depending on the specific strain of monkeypox that a person is infected with.
How Monkeypox Spreads
Monkeypox, also known as mpox, is primarily transmitted through direct contact. While some cases are the result of contact with infected animals, such as through scratches, bites, or consuming wild game, monkeypox can also spread from person to person.
Human-to-human transmission of monkeypox can occur through direct contact with infected body fluids or through contact with contaminated sheets, blankets, or clothing that have come into contact with an infected person.