1. Monkeypox is caused by a virus Monkeypox is a large DNA virus belonging to the orthopoxvirus family. Unlike the related smallpox virus, variola, which only affected humans, monkeypox virus is found in rodents and other animals in parts of Africa.
We know of two clades (virus groupings), and it is the less severe of the two currently circulating outside Africa. Orthopoxviruses are stable viruses that do not mutate much.
Multiple mutations, however, have been described in the virus causing the current outbreak. In the United States, at least two separate strains have been circulating, suggesting multiple introductions into the country. 2.
You can be infected for more than a week and not know It takes an average 8.5 days from infection to showing symptoms, such as enlarged lymph nodes, fever and a rash, which usually looks like fluid-filled blisters that erupt.