Human Monkeypox Virus: Current State of Knowledge and Implications for the Imminent Days

Monkeypox, a zoonotic orthopoxvirus, unintentionally infects humans and causes a condition resembling smallpox with noticeably reduced fatality. Despite the name monkeypox, the virus did not originate in monkeys. The virus has been linked to several rodents and small mammals, but the real source of monkeypox is still unknown. It was first noticed in macaque monkeys; hence it is named monkeypox. Although monkeypox transmission from person to person is extremely uncommon, it is frequently linked to respiratory droplets or close contact with mucocutaneous lesions of an infected person. This virus is indigenous to western and central Africa, with outbreaks in the Western Hemisphere linked to the exotic pet trade and international travel, making it clinically significant. The immunization against vaccinia virus provided coincidental immunity to monkeypox, but the eradication of smallpox and the consequent lack of vaccination campaigns allowed monkeypox to become clinically relevant. Even though the smallpox vaccine offers protection against the monkeypox virus, the incidence is increasing because of newly non-immunized generations. There is currently no designated treatment for infected individuals; however, supportive treatments are used to relieve symptoms. In extremely severe cases, medications such as tecovirimat may be effective and are used in Europe. Because there are no precise recommendations for symptom alleviation, many treatments are on trial. Smallpox immunizations like JYNNEOS and ACAM2000 are also used as prophylactic measures in the case of the monkeypox virus. This article describes the assessment and treatment of monkeypox infections in humans and emphasizes the need for a multidisciplinary team to treat patients with this condition and prevent disease outbreaks.