Monkeypox was first discovered in 1958 in monkey colonies and the first human case was in 1970. Symptoms are similar to smallpox but milder, including fever, headache, muscle aches and exhaustion. Around 20 countries have reported about 300 confirmed or suspected cases of monkeypox where it wasn't previously active. WHO is advising targeted vaccination for close contacts and recommends isolation for those infected to stop further spread.

1. Act now to stop
monkeypox: WHO
As the name implies, monkeypox was first discovered in 1958 when two outbreaks of a
pox-like disease occurred in monkey colonies kept for research. The first human case
was recorded in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of Congo during an improved effort
to eradicate smallpox. Monkeypox has been reported in humans in other countries in
central and western Africa since then.
Signs and symptoms:
The symptoms of monkeypox are similar to smallpox, but milder. Monkeypox begins
with fever, headache, muscle aches, and exhaustion. The main difference between
symptoms of smallpox and monkeypox is that monkeypox causes lymph nodes to swell
(lymphadenopathy) while smallpox does not. Normally, the incubation period (time

2. from infection to symptoms) for monkeypox is 7-14 days, but it can vary from 5-21
days.
Around 20 countries where the virus wasn't previously active have reported about
300 confirmed or suspected cases.
WHO officials are advising against mass vaccination, but recommending targeted
vaccination for close contacts of those who are infected.
"Your best option is case investigation, contact tracing, and isolation at home," said
Rosamund Lewis, WHO head of the smallpox secretariat, part of the WHO
Emergencies Programme.
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