You might be concerned about this uncommon illness, especially given the increase in both domestic and international case numbers, as well as the WHO's declaration that monkey pox is a public health emergency. Unlike the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, the virus that causes monkeypox is known and has been studied for decadeYou might be concerned about this uncommon illness, especially as cases increase both domestically and overseas and as the WHO has categorically declared monkey pox to be a public health emergency. In contrast to the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, monkeypox is a known virus that has been studied for decades.