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

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Etymology

Origin of mpox

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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

mpox

Coyle said there had been a change in the type of mpox since then.

From BBC ● Jul. 1, 2026

During the initial outbreak in 2022 there were 34 mpox cases in Northern Ireland.

From BBC ● Jul. 1, 2026

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

New York City officials have confirmed the first case of a more severe strain case of mpox.

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