@zexsypmp23

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

Monkeypox was first discovered in 1958 when two outbreaks of a pox-like disease occurred in colonies of monkeys kept for research, hence the name ‘monkeypox.’ The first human case of monkeypox was recorded in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) during a period of intensified effort to eliminate smallpox. Since then, monkeypox has been reported in people in several other central and western African countries: Cameroon, Central African Republic, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Liberia, Nigeria, Republic of the Congo, and Sierra Leone. The majority of infections are in Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Monkeypox cases in people have occurred outside of Africa linked to international travel or imported animals, including cases in the United States, as well as Israel, Singapore, and the United Kingdom.

The natural reservoir of monkeypox remains unknown. However, African rodents and non-human primates (like monkeys) may harbor the virus and infect people.

Child affected with monkeypox.

Posted by: @athena

@meleona Semantics. Start out with gay men sex. Then after it spreads then others will get it too. 

the virus can be transmitted via direct contact with contaminated bodily fluids or lesion material, or indirect contact with lesion material, such as through bedding or clothing.

@meleona the complete paragraph from the CDC below. In the western world, it got introduced via two gay sex rave parties in Spain saunas and in Belgium. That’s why in the western world the source at this point is in male to male sex.

now, if you talk about Africa where they also eat bush meat or when the disease is so wide spread that women get it from men then you can say the source  is different.

Similar to HIV, how it get introduced in the west was from male to male sex. Then after that it got into the blood supply then it became a different population: hemophiliacs, IV Drug, then heterosexual.

In the western world since we don’t eat bush meat and sexual contacts between men is the most like source then it is correct to say it’s a disease is found in male to male sex, as the CDC stated.

A good reason why male male sex is most vulnerable is the common practice of anal sex which is the easiest portal  than other modes of transmission. You can do more reading into HIV transmission to understand why.

https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/transmission.html

Transmission of monkeypox virus occurs when a person comes into contact with the virus from an animal, human, or materials contaminated with the virus. The virus enters the body through broken skin (even if not visible), respiratory tract, or the mucous membranes (eyes, nose, or mouth). Animal-to-human transmission may occur by bite or scratch, bush meat preparation, direct contact with body fluids or lesion material, or indirect contact with lesion material, such as through contaminated bedding. Human-to-human transmission is thought to occur primarily through large respiratory droplets. Respiratory droplets generally cannot travel more than a few feet, so prolonged face-to-face contact is required. Other human-to-human methods of transmission include direct contact with body fluids or lesion material, and indirect contact with lesion material, such as through contaminated clothing or linens.

The reservoir host (main disease carrier) of monkeypox is still unknown although African rodents are suspected to play a part in transmission. The virus that causes monkeypox has only been recovered (isolated) twice from an animal in nature. In the first instance (1985), the virus was recovered from an apparently ill African rodent (rope squirrel) in the Equateur Region of the Democratic Republic of Congo. In the second (2012), the virus was recovered from a dead infant mangabey found in the Tai National Park, Cote d’Ivoire.

@meleona HIV came from monkey. in Africa got spread from bush meat. In The rest of the world it started out with man to man sex.

I think you’re arguing the origin of a pathogen vs the mode of transmission in a population. Syphilis, gonorrhea came from cattles sheeps. HIV came from monkeys.