Review Article
Year: 2022 | Month: July-September | Volume: 7 | Issue: 3 | Pages: 168-176
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijshr.20220724
Human Monkeypox: What do we know so far?
Nutwipa Sinpeng
Assumption Convent School, Charoen Krung, Bang Rak, Bangkok, Thailand 10500
ABSTRACT
The first known human infection of monkeypox was recorded in 1971. MPXV has been found in a number of human instances in West Africa. The majority of confirmed cases with travel histories indicated travel to Europe and North America rather than West or Central Africa, where the monkeypox virus is endemic. Monkeypox virus (MPXV) is a type of Orthopoxvirus, which also includes camelpox, cowpox, vaccinia, and variola viruses. Two oral drugs, brincidofovir and tecovirimat, have been approved for the treatment of smallpox. MPXV can infect people in areas that were previously known to be free of smallpox. In 2003, MPXV-infected West African rats brought into the U.S. infected prairie dogs intended for sale in the pet business. Although there were no fatalities, the virus was of a less dangerous West African strain. Since 1970, eleven African nations have recorded human cases of monkeypox. Most cases have been recorded from rural, rainforest parts of the Congo Basin. Nigeria has seen a significant epidemic, with over 500 suspected cases, over 200 confirmed cases and an approximate 3% case fatality rate. People living in or near wooded regions may be exposed indirectly or at a low level. Consuming meat and other animal products from diseased animals that have been improperly cooked is a potential risk factor. The longest known chain of transmission in a community has increased from six to nine person-to-person infections. Monkeypox is prevented by increasing public knowledge of risk factors and teaching individuals about the actions they may take to decrease their exposure.
Keywords: Human monkeypox, monkeypox virus, orthopoxvirus, viral zoonosis