[Mpox in humans: an overview of the 2022-2023 epidemic]

Monkeypox, also known as Mpox, is a zoonotic disease endemic to central and western Africa. Following the successful eradication of human smallpox, Mpox has emerged as the primary poxvirus-related illness. In May 2022, an outbreak of Mpox was reported in the United Kingdom. Within weeks, cases were identified in multiple countries, leading to a significant increase in its incidence. This outbreak represents the first instance of sustained transmission in non-endemic areas. As of September 2023, there have been 115 affected countries, with over 90,000 confirmed cases and 157 deaths. Notably, over 96% of cases have occurred in individuals assigned male at birth, with a median age of 34 years. While specific antivirals and vaccines for Mpox are currently unavailable, drugs and vaccines originally designed to combat human smallpox have proven to be effective in its management. Nevertheless, the global distribution of these resources remains limited, and many nations continue to face challenges in accessing them. For this review, we consulted statistics published by the WHO and PAHO from May 2022 to September 2023, along with recent articles addressing the clinical characteristics of the infection, treatment options, prevention strategies, and relevant ethical and social issues.