Monkeypox: the resurgence of forgotten things

Area of Science:

• * Virology and Epidemiology
• * Infectious Diseases
• * Public Health

Background:

• * Monkeypox is a rare zoonotic disease endemic to Central and Western Africa.
• * The 2022 outbreak marked the first widespread community transmission outside Africa, raising global health concerns.
• * The monkeypox virus (MPXV), an Orthopoxvirus, causes a vesicular-pustular illness often preceded by constitutional symptoms and lymphadenopathy.

Purpose of the Study:

• * To summarize the epidemiology, clinical presentation, transmission, and management of monkeypox.
• * To highlight the atypical features observed during the 2022 global outbreak.
• * To review current treatment and prevention strategies for monkeypox.

Main Methods:

• * Review of existing literature on monkeypox epidemiology, clinical characteristics, and transmission.
• * Analysis of the 2022 outbreak data, noting deviations from typical presentations.
• * Examination of available therapeutic options and vaccination strategies.

Main Results:

• * The 2022 outbreak featured atypical clinical presentations in many monkeypox patients.
• * Transmission occurs through animal, person-to-person contact, or contaminated fomites.
• * Limited treatment options exist, with Tecovirimat licensed in some regions; cidofovir and brincidofovir show promise but lack human data.
• * While Imvamune (JYNNEOS) is authorized, routine vaccination programs are not established.

Conclusions:

• * Monkeypox requires enhanced global surveillance and containment strategies.
• * Preventive measures include personal hygiene, avoiding contact with infected individuals, and targeted ring vaccination.
• * Further research into effective treatments and widespread vaccination is crucial.