Online Salon Webinar The 1st Academic Salon focused on the monkeypox outbreak worldwide since 2022, putting together recent progress in public health, clinical diagnosis and treatment, basic research, the prevention and control strategy. The purpose of this Academic Salon is to play a crucial part in the social responsibility of scientific journals during public health emergencies, and to build an academic exchange platform for scientific researchers in related areas. At the same time, to publicize and popularize the scientific and technological knowledge of the monkeypox virus to the public, to guide positive public opinion, and to avoid social panic. This Salon began with a welcome speech from Professor Qin Chuan, President of the Chinese Association for Laboratory Animal Sciences, Secretary General of the China Union of Life Science Societies, and Editor-in-chief of Animal Models and Experimental Medicine (AMEM), Acta Laboratorium Animalis Scientia Sinica and Chinese Journal of Comparative Medicine. Professor Qin emphasized the dramatic impact of infectious diseases on the historical course of human society and human health. The control and prevention of infectious diseases can be important factors affecting world economic and global stability. Since early May 2022, cases of monkeypox have been reported from various countries outside Africa. The current understanding of monkeypox still needs to be strengthened, which is the reason for this Academic Salon. Hopefully, through this Academic Salon, experts and scholars can talk freely and openly discuss the topic of the monkeypox virus. Professor Dong Xiaoping from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention introduced the epidemiology of monkeypox. Monkeypox is a viral zoonosis which is caused by the monkeypox virus, which belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus in the family of Poxviridae. The natural host of the monkeypox virus includes rodents and non-human primates. The virus was first detected in 1958, and first identified in humans in 1970 in Africa. Before the year 2000, monkeypox mainly occurred in Africa. Since the first American case reported in 2003, monkeypox have also been reported from tourists in Europe or Asia. Since March, 2022, monkeypox was identified worldwide in several non-endemic countries, which drew public attentions at home and abroad. Monkeypox is mainly transmitted animal-to-human by close contact. Transmission from one person to another can be through contact with body fluids, contaminated materials, long-time respiratory droplets, or, sexual contact. The incubation period of monkeypox is about 6 to 13 days before the onset of their symptoms. The symptoms include the invasion period and the skin eruption period, as the symptoms usually lasting two to four weeks. Most cases present mild to moderate clinical manifestations. At present, monkeypox is considered to be a threat to global public health, but it is unlikely to cause a global pandemic. Professor Guo Fei from the Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and, Peking Union Medical College backtracked the successful experiences of smallpox, and introduced the vaccine prevention. Human monkeypox is a zoonosis caused by the monkeypox virus, with the first human case reported in 1970. After the eradication of smallpox by vaccination, monkeypox became the most serious orthopoxvirus disease. Monkeypox cases occurred mainly in developing countries in Africa, where effective infectious disease surveillance systems and systematic studies of the monkeypox virus are lacking. Monkeypox virus is an enveloped double-stranded DNA virus. Monkeypox virus has two genetic clades: the central African (Congo Basin) clade and the west African clade. It was reported that the monkeypox virus strain identified in this outbreak was related to the West African clade, and the sequencing of multiple cases was most likely from a single source. As the smallpox virus and monkeypox virus both belong to the Orthopoxvirus genus of the Poxviridae family, vaccines used for smallpox can also provide protection against monkeypox. Based on the successful experience of human beings in the long process of overcoming the smallpox virus, it could be optimistic that effective scientific methods can be developed to control the epidemic of the monkeypox virus. Professor Wei Qiang from the Institute of Laboratory Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, introduces the present situation of monkeypox and its prevention in China. He put forward some points that we should pay close attention to. Monkeypox was caused by the monkeypox virus, which is similar to human smallpox. They can both be prevented by the same vaccination. However, since the 1980s when the world declared the eradication of smallpox, the smallpox vaccination was stopped. Some key points can be important to be prepared for monkeypox. Firstly, to strengthen basic research on the monkeypox virus. Secondly, to carry out the research and development of the monkeypox virus vaccines and drugs. Thirdly, to strengthen the biosafety management of the monkeypox virus. Fourthly, to organize public popularization and education of the monkeypox virus. Fifthly, to take advantage of international cooperation. Details are also published in this issue of AMEM, entitled “Is China ready for monkeypox?”. Renowned experts in related fields also participated in the salon discussion as guest speakers: Professor Sun Yansong and Professor Qin Chengfeng from Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Professor Liu Ruikang from School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Professor Liu Jiangning and Professor Bao Linlin from Institute of Laboratory Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, and Professor Peng Chen from School of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University. The salon discussion focused on a few topics, including: whether monkeypox the virus needs to be routinely tested for laboratory animals; whether the population needs to be vaccinated in advance. On July 23th, the World Health Organization (WHO) has activated its highest alert level for the growing monkeypox outbreak, declaring the global monkeypox outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). Academic Salons of the Chinese Association for Laboratory Animal Sciences will be held regularly, focusing on hot scientific issues at home and abroad, and establish an academic platform for exchange and discussion. AMEM, as a scientific journal, can play a role of academic support, and related journal experts can put forward valuable advice as an academic think tank. The AMEM editorial office welcomes all experts and scholars to put forward hot topics and jointly hold academic salons and discussions. If you have any ideas, please feel free to contact us through amem@cnilas.org.