Monkeypox virus: An emerging epidemic

Abstract

Introduction: A monkeypox outbreak is spreading in territories where the virus is not generally prevalent. The rapid and sudden emergence of monkeypox in numerous nations at the same time means that unreported transmission may have persisted. The number of reported cases is on a constant increase worldwide. At least 20 non-African countries, like Canada, Portugal, Spain, and the United Kingdom, have reported more than 57662 as of September 9th suspected or confirmed cases. This is the largest epidemic seen outside of Africa. Scientists are struggling to determine the responsible genes for the higher virulence and transmissibility of the virus. Because the viruses are related, several countries have begun acquiring smallpox vaccinations, which are believed to be very effective against monkeypox.

Methods: Bibliographic databases and web-search engines were used to retrieve studies that assessed monkeypox basic biology, life cycle, and transmission. Data were evaluated and used to explain the therapeutics that are under use or have potential. Finally, here is a comparison between how vaccines are being made now and how they were made in the past to stop the spread of new viruses.

Conclusions: Available vaccines are believed to be effective if administered within four days of viral exposure, as the virus has a long incubation period. As the virus is zoonotic, there is still a great deal of concern about the viral genetic shift and the risk of spreading to humans. This review will discuss the virus's biology and how dangerous it is. It will also look at how it spreads, what vaccines and treatments are available, and what technologies could be used to make vaccines quickly using mRNA technologies.

Keywords: Epidemic; Infectious pathogens; Monkeypox; Outbreak; Outbreak investigation; Transmission.

Graphical abstract

Fig. 1

Schematic illustration of monkeypox virion showing its unique structural arrangement and its transcription process.

Fig. 2

Plot showing the rapid expansion of monkeypox virus cases viruses and the timeline of such reported cases by the time of revision submission on the 9^th of September 2022. Data originated from {Mathieu, 2022 #127}.

Fig. 3

The life cycle of a poxvirus is depicted schematically. The viral capsid is discharged after the virion fuses with the host cell membrane. When a virion adheres to and fuses with a cell membrane, the viral particle is released into the host cell's cytoplasm. Transcription is set in motion by enzymes and substances transported by the nucleus itself. Most viruses get encapsulated in the scab's protein matrix after remaining in the cytoplasm as intracellular mature virions. The remaining virions migrate to the host cell membrane, where they adhere and take on a new envelope, becoming known as intracellular enveloped virions. The virus spreads from cell to cell via enveloped virions attached to cell surfaces, whereas enveloped virions (EEVs) released from infected cells might contribute to the virus's systemic dissemination.