Doctor Column

270T Monkeypox An Under Reported Virus in the U. S? July 5, 2022 Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD Monkeypox (MPX) is a rare, viral, infectious disease that’s related to, and distinct from smallpox, and cowpox. It is caused by the Monkeypox virus (MPXV). The disease occurs primarily in the tropical rainforest areas of central and west Africa, and is exported to other regions. Of particular concern is the surging number of cases since May of this year. The outbreaks have emerged, as of this writing, in forty-seven countries where the disease is not usually found, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).