mpox

noun

ˈem-ˌpäks 

: a zoonotic disease especially of central and western Africa that is caused by a poxvirus (Orthopoxvirus monkeypox), that is transmitted in humans usually by direct contact with the infectious lesions or bodily fluids of an infected person or animal, and that causes initial symptoms including fever, headache, swollen lymph glands, myalgia, and fatigue followed by lesions that eventually fill with fluid before sloughing off

Note: This disease was first identified in monkeys in 1958, although the natural reservoir (see reservoir sense 3a) has not been identified. The mpox virus has been found in various animals including rodents and primates.

Note: As of 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) uses the name mpox to refer to this disease due to the stigmatizing nature of the original name.

called also monkeypox

Examples of mpox in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There were also a variety of other outbreaks and crises, including an unexpected mpox outbreak last year. —Craig Whitlock, BostonGlobe.com, 20 June 2023

Nearly 2 years later, according to its director, CFA has scored its first successes, rapidly predicting the severity of a U.S. COVID-19 wave when the Omicron variant arose and publishing prompt, detailed status reports during the mpox outbreak last year. —Bymeredith Wadman, science.org, 8 June 2023

China’s first report of mpox was in the southwestern city of Chongqing in September. —Li Liu, Bloomberg.com, 6 June 2023

Thus far, no schedule for a booster dose has been approved for mpox to boost immunity as case rates begin to build. —Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 June 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1988, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

mpox

noun

ˈem-ˌpäks 

: a zoonotic disease especially of central and western Africa that is caused by a poxvirus (Orthopoxvirus monkeypox), that is transmitted in humans usually by direct contact with the infectious lesions or bodily fluids of an infected person or animal, and that is typically characterized by flu-like symptoms followed one to four days later by skin eruptions on the face, mouth, and extremities with lesions that eventually fill with fluid before crusting over and sloughing off

Note: This disease was first identified in monkeys in 1958, although the natural reservoir (see reservoir sense 2a) has not been identified. The mpox virus has been found in various animals including rodents and primates.

Note: As of 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) uses the name mpox to refer to this disease due to the stigmatizing nature of the original name.

called also monkeypox