Monkeypox is a double-stranded DNA virus that belongs to family Poxviridae^[1][2]. It has two genetic clades: the West African clade and the Central African (Congo Basin) clade^[3].

Animal-to-human: The virus can be acquired through daily exposure to an infected animal or complex exposure to an infected animal (e.g. invasive bite or scratch that breaks the skin). It can also be acquired through direct contact with lesions or bodily fluids of an infected animal. Human-to-human: The virus can be acquired through close physical contact with infected person, direct contact with lesions, bodily fluids, or respiratory secretions of an infected person^{_Monkeypox_|_Poxvirus_|_CDC-4|[4]}, via placenta from mother to fetus^{[5][6][7]_NEJM-8|[8]}, or direct contact with contaminated materials^{_CDC_Online_Newsroom_|_CDC-9|[9]}.

Monkeypox is a member of orthopoxvirus genus, which is a subdivision of Chordopoxvirinae that belongs to family Poxviridae^[1]. It is a linear double-stranded DNA virus that multiplies in the cytoplasm of infected cell^[2]. The virus has two genetic clades: the West African clade and the Central African (Congo Basin) clade^[3].

Animal-to-human: The virus can be acquired through daily exposure to an infected animal or complex exposure to an infected animal (e.g. invasive bite or scratch that breaks the skin). Also through direct contact with lesions or bodily fluids of an infected animal.

Human-to-human: The virus can be acquired through close physical contact with infected person, direct contact with lesions, bodily fluids, or respiratory secretions of an infected person, or direct contact with contaminated materials ^{_CDC_Online_Newsroom_|_CDC-9|[9]}. The role of semen and vaginal fluids is being investigated^{_Monkeypox_|_Poxvirus_|_CDC-4|[4]}. Transmission from mother to fetus via placenta is possible, resulting in congenital monkeypox^{[5][6][7]_NEJM-8|[8]}.