CDC releases guidelines on Monkey Pox virus

Monkey pox is a rare disease that is caused by infection with monkey pox virus. Monkey pox virus belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus in the family Poxviridae.  The Orthopoxvirus genus also includes variola virus (which causes smallpox), vaccine virus (used in the smallpox vaccine), and cowpox virus.

In humans, the symptoms of monkey pox are similar to but milder than the symptoms of smallpox. Monkey pox begins with fever, headache, muscle aches, and exhaustion. The main difference is monkey pox causes lymph nodes to swell (lymphadenopathy) while smallpox does not.