Monkeypox Virus

Monkeypox virus is a member of the Orthopoxvirus genus in the Poxviridae family. Monkeypox virus causes monkeypox, an emerging zoonotic disease recognized as the most important orthopoxvirus infection in humans in the smallpox post-eradication era. Many animal species, including rodents and monkeys, can transmit the virus. However, the animal reservoir has not been identified yet. Human-to-human transmission exists, and the longest reported chain of transmission is six generations. The clinical presentation of monkeypox is very similar to the presentation of smallpox, i.e. the febrile prodrome is followed by a skin eruption period. Lymphadenopathy is a typical sign of monkeypox. The case fatality of monkeypox depends on the virus clade, and it falls between 1% and 11%. Monkeypox was reported in 11 countries of Central and West Africa. The disease was also exported outside of the African continent to the USA, the UK, Israel, and Singapore. The frequency and geographical spread of human monkeypox cases have increased in recent years, with little understanding of the disease’s emergence, epidemiology, and ecology. Monkeypox can be diagnosed by polymerase chain reaction performed on lesion specimens. Serological tests and antigen detection do not provide a definitive diagnosis given the orthopoxvirus serological cross-reactivity. Modified vaccinia Ankara vaccine was recently approved in the USA for monkeypox prevention in adults at high risk of infection. There is currently no specific treatment for monkeypox infection.