Monkeypox: the resurgence of forgotten things

Abstract

Monkeypox, a rare zoonotic disease, is prevalent primarily in Central and Western Africa. However, as the 2022 monkeypox outbreak is the first incidence of widespread community transmission outside Africa, monkeypox is emerging as a worldwide concern. Monkeypox is caused by the monkeypox virus, which belongs to the genus orthopoxvirus and presents as a vesicu lar-pustular disease that may be preceded by fever, malaise, and other constitutional symptoms. If present, lymphadenopathy may distinguish it from chickenpox or smallpox. However, contrary to previous manifestations, most monkeypox patients pre sented with atypical features during the 2022 outbreak. Monkeypox is usually a self-limiting disease with symptoms lasting be tween 2 and 4 weeks and is mainly transmitted when a person is in contact with an infected animal, person, or fomites contam inated with the virus. Very few treatment options are available for treating this disease. Tecovirimat has been licensed in some countries for the treatment of smallpox and monkeypox infections. Two other medications, cidofovir and brincidofovir, were effective against poxviruses in in vitro and animal studies, but data on human cases of monkeypox are limited. Although Imva mune (JYNNEOS), a vaccine against monkeypox, is authorized in the United States, there are currently no established routine vaccination programs. Current preventive strategies focus on the detection of probable cases and containment of the outbreak through the implementation of selected ring vaccination programs. Fundamental principles to prevent the spread of monkey pox, including maintaining personal hygiene and avoiding close contact with symptomatic patients, are of paramount impor tance.