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Since its first report in Brazil in 1999, outbreaks of exanthematous diseases caused by vaccinia virus (VACV) have been a recurring concern, particularly impacting rural regions. Minas Gerais (MG) State, Brazil, has emerged as the epicenter of bovine vaccinia (BV) outbreaks. This study presents a comprehensive overview of VACV circulation in MG State over the past two decades, examining the occurrence and distribution of poxvirus cases and outbreaks and the demographic characteristics of affected populations. Analysis of secondary databases from 2000 to 2023 revealed VACV circulation in at least 149 municipalities, particularly expanding in dairy regions. The study underscores BV as an occupational disease, predominantly affecting rural men involved in dairy cattle activities. Laboratory findings indicate high levels of anti-OPXV antibodies in most individuals, with some showing acute infections confirmed by qPCR testing. This analysis informs public health policies, emphasizing the need for enhanced surveillance of and preventive measures for dairy farming communities.

Phylogenetic analysis of 34 monkeypox virus genome sequences isolated from patients in Minas Gerais, Brazil, revealed initial importation events in early June 2022, then community transmission within the state. All generated genomes belonged to the B.1 lineage responsible for a global mpox outbreak. These findings can inform public health measures.

Vaccinia virus (VACV) is a zoonotic agent that causes a disease called bovine vaccinia, which is detected mainly in milking cattle and humans in close contact with these animals. Even though many aspects of VACV infection have been described, much is still unknown about its circulation in the environment and its natural hosts/reservoirs. To investigate the presence of Orthopoxvirus antibodies or VACV DNA, we captured small rodents and marsupials in 3 areas of Minas Gerais state, Brazil, and tested their samples in a laboratory. A total of 336 animals were tested; positivity ranged from 18.1% to 25.5% in the 3 studied regions located in different biomes, including the Atlantic Forest and the Cerrado. Analysis of nucleotide sequences indicated co-circulation of VACV groups I and II. Our findings reinforce the possible role played by rodents and marsupials in VACV maintenance and its transmission chain.