Emerging threats of monkeypox virus in 2024: current insights and future directions

Monkeypox has reemerged as a major global public health threat, with 2024 witnessing the rise of Clade Ib, a new, more transmissible and potentially severe variant. This review analyzes recent outbreaks, uncovering how Clade Ib has accelerated human-to-human and zoonotic spread, increasing case counts across both endemic and non-endemic regions. The study synthesizes current evidence on the virus's evolving epidemiology, diagnostic advances such as CRISPR and PCR techniques, and progress in vaccine development, focusing on JYNNEOS and ACAM2000. Despite these advancements, significant challenges persist, including timely diagnosis and equitable vaccine access, particularly in low-resource settings. Our findings underscore the importance of sustained genomic surveillance, integrative One Health strategies that unite human, animal, and environmental health data, and robust global collaboration. Addressing these gaps is vital for curbing monkeypox and preparing for future zoonotic threats.