• Despite the disease being declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, the emergency status was lifted in May 2023 as cases declined, thanks to vaccination campaigns and behavioural adaptations.

Mpox, formerly referred to as Monkeypox, once confined to Central and West Africa, is now spreading at an accelerated pace globally, with sexual transmission emerging as a key driver. As of February 13, 2025, the Ministry of Health in Kenya confirmed 38 Mpox cases across 12 counties, with one fatality.

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared Mpox a public health emergency in July 2022.

This development emphasizes the need to understand the virus’s epidemiology, raising urgent questions about prevention, containment, and public health strategies in an interconnected world.

Mpox, caused by the Monkeypox virus, is a relic of the Poxvirus Family and belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus, which includes the now-eradicated smallpox virus. First identified in humans in 1970, it shares clinical similarities with smallpox, though it is generally milder.

Symptoms typically manifest within 5–21 days of exposure and include fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, exhaustion, and swollen lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy), a distinguishing feature from smallpox.

Within 1–3 days of fever onset, a rash emerges, progressing from macules to papules, vesicles, pustules, and scabs. The illness usually resolves within 2–4 weeks, though severe cases can occur, particularly among immunocompromised individuals or those with prolonged exposure.

Mpox is beyond Zoonotic spread. Historically, the disease spread through spread through contact with infected animals like rodents or contaminated materials. Human-to-human transmission was limited to close contact with lesions, bodily fluids, respiratory droplets, or contaminated surfaces.

However, the 2022 global outbreak, which saw over 89,000 cases across 114 countries, revealed a new pattern sexual transmission, particularly among those who practice gayism.

The WHO confirmed that intimate physical contact during sexual activity facilitated rapid spread, as the virus exploits skin-to-skin contact or exchange of bodily fluids.

This means that sexual networks have become a significant amplifier of the disease. Before 2022, Mpox outside Africa was rare and linked to travel or imported animals. The unprecedented 2022 surge, however, saw sustained community transmission in non-endemic regions.

Cases clustered within sexual networks, with the Men who have sex with Men(MSM) community disproportionately affected. This highlighted gaps in global surveillance and vaccine equity.
Despite the disease being declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, the emergency status was lifted in May 2023 as cases declined, thanks to vaccination campaigns and behavioural adaptations.

The public must be educated and vaccinated against Mpox. Smallpox vaccines, such as JYNNEOS and ACAM2000, offer cross-protection against Mpox. During the outbreak, targeted vaccination of high-risk groups and healthcare workers became critical.

Public health campaigns focused on educating communities about symptom recognition, safe sexual practices (e.g., temporary reduction of sexual partners, avoiding skin contact with rashes), and the importance of early isolation. Stigma emerged as a challenge, necessitating sensitive communication to avoid marginalizing affected groups.

Preventing future outbreaks requires a dual approach when addressing zoonotic reservoirs in endemic regions and curbing human-to-human spread.

For the general public, avoiding contact with symptomatic individuals, practising hand hygiene, and using personal protective equipment when caring for patients remain essential. For sexually active individuals, open dialogue with partners about symptoms and vaccination status is key.