Monkeypox Disease: An Emerging Public Health Concern in the Shadow of COVID-19 Pandemic: An Update

Abstract

The last few decades have witnessed an appalling rise in several emerging and re-emerging viral and zoonotic outbreaks. Such outbreaks are a lesson to learn from and seek insight into better disease monitoring and surveillance, thus preventing future outbreaks. Monkeypox, a viral zoonotic illness caused by the monkeypox virus, may no longer be endemic to the tropical rainforests of Central and West Africa. However, the current monkeypox outbreak in nonendemic countries is most likely due to failure to curb the disease dissemination in endemic African regions despite decades of constant outbreaks. The clinical manifestations are typified by a prodromal phase (fever, myalgia, malaise, and lymphadenopathy) followed by maculopapular or vesicular, or pustular cutaneous eruptions that eventually form encrustations and peel off. Children and the elderly, pregnant females, and individuals living with comorbidities (diabetes, HIV/AIDS, and lymphoproliferative ailments) are at a high risk of severe disease. Monkeypox is a self-limiting disorder, but its complications and pandemic potential signify its immense public health relevance. The recent ongoing monkeypox outbreak in nonendemic nations areas was identified with increased propensity in men who have sex with men (MSMs) with no travel history to endemic regions, emphasizing the changing trends in disease transmission. This review article provides an updated overview of the monkeypox disease taxonomy, pathogenesis, transmission, epidemiology, clinical and oral features, diagnostic aids, differential diagnosis, preventive aspects, and treatment protocol.

Keywords: monkeypox; poxvirus; public health menace; recent outbreak; skin rash; symptomatic therapy.

Figure 1

Depicts various modes of transmission for monkeypox infection.

Figure 2

Describes the geographical distribution of monkeypox virus infection.

Figure 3

Pathogenesis of monkeypox virus infection.