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Vaccinia Virus Infection & Temporal Analysis of Virus Gene Expression: Part 2
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Poxvirus Epidemiology

Faisal Syed Minhaj1

  • 1Poxvirus and Rabies Branch, Division of High Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA. rhu5@cdc.gov.

Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)
|December 2, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Poxviruses have caused human illnesses for ages. This review details orthopoxvirus history, focusing on smallpox, monkeypox, and vaccinia virus epidemiology and countermeasures.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Epidemiology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Poxviruses have a long history of causing human diseases.
  • The orthopoxvirus genus includes significant human pathogens like Variola virus (smallpox).
  • Eradication of smallpox required extensive research into orthopoxviruses.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review historical and current poxvirus epidemiology.
  • To emphasize orthopoxviruses, including monkeypox and vaccinia viruses.
  • To provide context for vaccine and medical countermeasure development.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of historical and current epidemiological data.
  • Focus on key orthopoxvirus species.
  • Synthesis of information on disease impact and control.

Main Results:

  • Smallpox, caused by Variola virus, was eradicated in 1980.
  • Orthopoxviruses continue to pose public health challenges.
  • Monkeypox and Vaccinia viruses are notable current orthopoxviruses.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding poxvirus epidemiology is crucial for disease control.
  • Continued research on orthopoxviruses is necessary for preparedness.
  • Historical efforts against smallpox inform current strategies against related viruses.
Keywords:
Borealpox virus/AlaskapoxvirusCowpoxEpidemiologyMolluscum contagiosumMonkeypoxMpoxSmallpoxVacciniaVariola

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