Health officials are concerned that the virus may currently spread undetected through community transmission, perhaps through a new mechanism or route. Where and how the infection occurred are still being investigated.
After the virus enters the body, it begins to multiply and spread throughout the body through the bloodstream. Symptoms usually do not appear until one to two weeks following infection.
Monkeypox produces smallpox-like skin lesions, but symptoms are usually milder than those of smallpox. Flu-like symptoms are common at first, and range from fever to headache and shortness of breath.
