Resurgence of Monkeypox Virus Disease in Humans: A Review

Abstract

A once neglected zoonotic monkeypox virus endemic to West and Central Africa generated significant international interest, due to its emergence causing an outbreak in 2022 involving multiple countries in non-endemic regions. A total of 780 confirmed cases were reported worldwide (across 27 non-endemic countries) as of June 2, 2022, since 13 May 2022. Thus, human monkeypox is an emerging viral zoonotic disease recognized as the most important Orthopoxvirus infection in the smallpox post-eradication era. The waning herd immunity associated with discontinuation of smallpox vaccination may be responsible for resurgence of monkeypox. It is usually a self-limited disease, and the clinical presentation resembles that of smallpox, resulting in a rash similar to smallpox although clinically less severe. Monkeypox is transmitted to humans through close contact with an infected person or animal, or with material contaminated with the virus. Monkeypox virus is transmitted from one person to another by close contact with lesions, body fluids, respiratory droplets, and contaminated materials such as bedding, towels, and clothing. Antiviral drug developed for the treatment of smallpox has also been licensed for the treatment of monkeypox. The knowledge and scientific information on monkeypox virus disease is still unknown or relatively limited to many clinicians, and received little attention. In this review, we provide an overview of monkeypox virus infection to highlight its importance and further research