Poc (Pox) , a term for various infectious diseases in the history of public health and epidemiology: the dreaded Smallpox , the almost unknown Alastrim and the Mpox .

The recent human cases of Mpox have prompted greater surveillance and research into the biology of MPXV and other closely related poxviruses. Studies have focused on the natural history of the virus, its transmission, pathogenesis, host interactions and evolution, and on the development of drugs and vaccines to prevent its spread.