mpox

[em-poks]

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of mpox¹

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

Example Sentences

Two cases of a potentially more severe strain of mpox have been confirmed in Los Angeles County this week.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

It’s the first time this particular type of mpox, known as “Clade I,” has been found in the United States among people who had no history of traveling overseas to high-risk areas.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“The identification of cases of Clade I mpox, which may cause more severe illness than the more-common Clade II, is concerning,” L.A.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The California Department of Public Health said last year that Clade I has historically caused more severe illness than Clade II, but added that “recent infections from Clade I mpox may not be as clinically severe as in previous outbreaks, especially when cases have access to quality medical care.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is primarily spread through close, intimate contact, such as through body fluids, sores, shared bedding or shared clothing, as well as kissing, coughing and sneezing, health officials say.

Read more on Los Angeles Times