mpox

American  

[em-poks] / ˈɛmˌpɒks /

noun

Pathology.

1. a disease caused by a virus of the genus Orthopoxvirus, clinically similar to but less severe than smallpox, and transmitted to humans via contact with an infected person or animal, or with a contaminated material: first identified in humans in 1970, outbreaks historically occurred mostly in central and western Africa, with the United States in 2003 having the first confirmed cases outside of Africa, followed by global outbreaks, especially in Europe and the Americas, that became increasingly reported in the 2020s. MPX

---

Etymology

Origin of mpox

First recorded in 2022; partial abbreviation of monkeypox ( def. )

Example Sentences

California health officials are urging high-risk residents to get vaccinated against mpox after a potentially more-severe strain of the virus was detected for the first time in San Francisco.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 18, 2026

Most cases of mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, that began spreading in California and the U.S. in 2022 have been the Clade II strain.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 18, 2026

Bavarian Nordic, with $2.7 billion in 2025 U.S. revenue, and Emergent Biosolutions produce the two FDA-approved mpox vaccines.

From Barron's • Mar. 17, 2026

The WHO helped eradicate smallpox, established a framework that led to a dramatic worldwide reduction in tobacco use and helped control numerous pandemics, from Ebola to mpox to Zika.

From Salon • Feb. 28, 2026

During 2022, mpox spread across many countries and sickened more than 150,000 people.

From Science Daily • Dec. 12, 2025