A Brief Review on Monkeypox

Abstract

Monkeypox is a zoonotic disease caused by the Monkeypox virus (MPXV), which belongs to the Poxviridae family. It spreads through close contact with respiratory secretions by touching the contaminated objects such as clothing and beddings, or through the skin lesions of an infected person. The congenital Monkeypox occurs when the virus transmitted vertically from the mother to the fetus. The initial symptoms and signs of MPXV are usually headache, backache, fatigue, low grade fever, malaise and lethargy. During the incubation period (average incubation period is 8 days), a vesiculopustular rash begins on the face and trunk then spreads all over the body. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test is used for the diagnosis of Monkeypox. An antiviral medication called Tecovirimat was approved for the treatment of human smallpox disease, which can also be used to control and prevent MPXV. Monkeypox is a disease that is no longer confined to remote regions. Even though, it is not as devastating as Smallpox, the ability to spread through human to human transmission, combined with its severe out comes, sometimes makes it a critical concern. Better treatment with improved vaccines and continued vigilance along with proactive global response is essential in managing this emerging threat.