Monkeypox explained: How to protect yourself and what to watch out for

The World Health Organization has declared the monkeypox outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, but it's not a disease that the general public has been familiar with.

For well over a decade, members of the scientific community have been concerned about the potential of a monkeypox epidemic.

With nearly 16,000 reported cases worldwide and counting, here's what you need to know about monkeypox, how to protect yourself and what to do if you think you have it.

What exactly is monkeypox?

Besides the reference to wildlife, the only similarity between monkeypox and chickenpox is that they're a virus. Instead, monkeypox is most similar to smallpox, which was eradicated through global vaccination efforts in 1980.

The two viruses are from the orthopoxvirus family. Monkeypox is not as transmissible or fatal