Communicable Diseases

Orthopoxvirus

Dallas County Health and Human Services - 2377 N. Stemmons Freeway, Dallas, TX 75207
Telephone: 214-819-2000

Orthopoxviruses can infect animals and humans. The most well known kinds are: the variola virus, which causes smallpox; the cowpox virus, which was used to make the first vaccine in the 1870s; and the Mpox virus, which was first seen in humans in 1970.

More Information

• Mpox  (CDC)
• Travelers' Health: Smallpox & Other Orthopoxvirus-Associated Infections (CDC) 
• Travelers' Health: Mpox (CDC) 
• Potential Exposure to Person with Confirmed Monkeypox Infection (CDC PDF / CDC web page) 7/17/21

For Healthcare Providers

• Poxvirus (CDC)
• Mpox for Clinicians  (CDC)
• 2003 U.S. Outbreak (CDC)

For Laboratory Personnel

• Poxvirus: Occupational Exposures in Laboratories (CDC)
• Mpox for Laboratory Personnel  (CDC)