The mpox formerly known as the monkeypox virus is largely spread through close and primarily sexual contact. Cases of the disease are generally mild. A vaccination is available.
Several countries outside Africa have detected the new variant of mpox. No further action is required for the Swiss population at present in response to the mpox situation. The mpox virus is a member of the orthopoxvirus family. Two mpox clades have been identified to date:. Several African countries have reported increases in their numbers of cases of Clade I mpox. The mpox virus is primarily transmitted amoung humans through direct contact of the skin or mucous membranes, or via contact with infected secretions from one or more blisters or lesions on the skin or the mucous membranes of a person already infected, and especially via sexual contact.
Whether the virus can also be transmitted via semen, vaginal secretions, urine or faeces has not yet been established. Top of page. Mpox can occur between 5 and 21 days after close contact with an infected person. The severity of the symptoms of the resulting disease varies from case to case.
Some infected persons develop only isolated and mild symptoms. The skin rash is often unremarkable, with few or only isolated blisters or lesions. These blisters and lesions may be painful or itchy, and can develop at any stage in the course of the disease. A person with mpox may be infectious themselves from the time the first symptoms appear until the skin rash has disappeared, i.
No long-term effects of an mpox infection have yet been detected. Immunocompromised persons, infants, children and pregnant women seem to be at a higher risk of developing a more severe case of the disease.
