A Critical Review on Changing Epidemiology of Human Monkeypox-A Current Threat with Multi-Country Outbreak

Abstract

As concerns about the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) epidemic begin to dissipate, nations around the world are instead focusing on the outbreak of monkeypox in some areas. Once restricted to specific areas of Africa, the 2022 pandemic has primarily affected European countries and the rest of the western hemisphere. Although numerous groups are working on contact-tracing initiatives, the original cause of this epidemic remains a mystery. The monkeypox virus is a member of the Poxviridae family, which includes many other zoonotic viruses. After smallpox was eradicated worldwide, occurrences of monkeypox gained international attention in the 1970s. Cross-immunity against monkeypox was achieved through the use of the smallpox vaccine. A rise in the incidence of monkeypox followed the end of routine vaccination against smallpox. An outbreak in the United States in 2003 brought monkeypox to the forefront of public consciousness. Although it has been given the moniker "monkeypox," this particular virus did not initially manifest in these small mammals. To this day, the real origin of monkeypox remains a mystery, however it has been speculated that various rodents and tiny mammals are the carriers of the virus. The virus that causes monkeypox was originally observed in macaque monkeys, hence the name. Monkeypox is seldom spread from person to person, but when it does, it's usually through a person's mucocutaneous lesions or through airborne droplets. Although there is no successful treatment for those who have contracted the virus at this time, complimentary treatments can be given to alleviate symptoms; medications such tecovirimat may be given to those with extremely severe infections. There are no universally accepted standards for administering these medicines, making their efficacy open to debate.