Mpox virus is a double-stranded DNA virus that belongs to the genus Orthopoxvirus.1 Variola, cowpox, vaccinia, and other viruses are also included in the Poxviridae family.2 There are two distinct clades (with subclades Ia and Ib) of the virus and clade II(with subclades IIa and IIb. An outbreak of Mpox globally was caused by the clade IIb strain in 2022-2023. Though the natural reservoir of the virus is unknown, various mammals, like squirrels and monkeys, are susceptible.

As a zoonotic disease, Monkeypox was once endemic in western and central Africa and was caused by the clade I monkeypox virus.4 As of August 2024, clade Ib was also detected beyond Africa.3 However, cases recently have been confirmed in many nonendemic countries outside of Africa.4 Around the world, this outbreak has spread rapidly through new modes of transmission under International Health Regulations, which meets the criteria of an emergency.