Resurgence of Monkeypox: Transmission, Clinical Features with Emphasis on Countermeasures and Treatment Download PDF

Monkeypox virus is a DNA virus classified under the family Poxviridae and the genus Orthopoxvirus. Monkeypox is usually restricted to the Central and Western zones of the African continent. In 2022, many monkeypox cases were reported from non-endemic countries in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australasia. On 23rd July 2022, the Chief of the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the 2022 monkeypox epidemic as a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). It announced recommendations to curb the transmission of the disease around the globe. Monkeypox is a zoonotic disease, but human-to-human transmission can occur through direct or indirect contact with body fluids, skin lesions, and respiratory droplets. The recent outbreak was noticed commonly in homosexual men. A pregnant mother infected with monkeypox resulted in congenital monkeypox, resulting in miscarriage. Clinical manifestation of monkeypox lesions follows four stages: macules, papules, vesicles, and pustules, followed by crusts/scabs. There have been some cases of complications like septicemia, bronchopneumonia, ocular involvement, and central nervous system manifestations. There are effective antiviral agents like tecovirimat (TPOXX), cidofovir, and brincidofovir, which are all available for treatment. The vaccines which are administered for monkeypox are LC16, MVA-BN (JYNNEOS in the United States of America), and ACAM2000.