Monkeypox: An Uncommon Re-emerging Virus- Threat to Mankind

Abstract

Monkeypox Virus (MPV) causes rare zoonotic illness. The Central African (or Congo Basin) clade and the West African clade are its two genetic subgroups, of which Central African subgroup is more lethal. To distinguish between the lineages, sequencing is crucial. As it was first isolated from captive monkeys that is why it is named as MPV. Its clinical features are similar to small pox. Undiagnosed acute rash with one or more symptoms, such as headache, fever, lymphadenopathy, myalgia, back pain, or asthenia, are considered common clinical findings. Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) is used in the laboratory diagnosis. There are various complications of monkeypox disease that includes bacterial infection of skin, skin scarring, hyper or hypopigmentation, permanent corneal scarring (vision loss), pneumonia, dehydration, sepsis, encephalitis and death. The drug of choice includes Tecovirimat, Cidofovir, Vaccinia Immune Globulin Intravenous (VIGIV), Brincidofovir. ACAM2000, LC16m8 and modified vaccinia Ankara are few options for vaccines but still under investigation. Though the disease is self-limiting but may complicate and has morbidity as well as mortality. So, it’s better to prevent the spread of the disease by early identification, contact tracing, isolation with stringent hospital infection control practices with early initiation of treatment.