From Outbreaks to Artificial Intelligence: A Comprehensive Review of Monkeypox Virus Epidemiology, Diagnosis,...

Objectives: After the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, concerns over virus transmission have risen. A state of health emergency was declared in 2022 due to Clade 2 of the monkeypox (MPOX) virus. In August 2024, another emergency was declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) because of the widespread Clade 1b, which caused a more severe and lethal disease. This review synthesizes current MPOX knowledge to assist policymakers, clinicians, and researchers in developing effective diagnostics, therapeutic interventions, vaccination strategies, and outbreak management. Methods: This systematic review study searched for articles on virus epidemiology, virology, clinical features, transmission routes, available drugs and vaccines, and new artificial intelligence (AI) applications in diagnosis and drug discovery. Results: MPOX virus is a 200-250-nm, double-stranded DNA (ds-DNA) virus that causes smallpox-like skin lesions. Tecovirimat is the primary drug for severe cases, especially in people with suppressed immune systems. Smallpox vaccines can help prevent MPOX infection because of the genetic similarities between the MPOX and smallpox viruses. AI-based models can assist medical teams in promptly diagnosing MPOX skin lesions, improving decision-making for treatment. Conclusion: This review highlights the importance of using traditional public health knowledge alongside modern AI to manage MPOX outbreaks effectively. It shows that we need strong public health policies, focused interventions, and ongoing research on how AI can help control infectious diseases.