Monkey Pox Virus: A Re-Emerging Potential Healthcare Threat

Abstract

Monkeypox virus (MPXV) causes monkey pox infection which is a zoonotic disease with symptoms presentation similar to smallpox. The disease has a public health significance as it affects humans and animals worldwide. It is usually self-limiting but may be acute in some people. Transmission occurs via exposure to skin lesions, bodily fluids, or respiratory droplets of infected animals directly or indirectly. The clinical manifestation of the disease includes a prodromal illness with fever, malaise, swollen lymph nodes, characteristic rash, chills and/or sweats, headache, sore throat, cough, backache and shortness of breath. The incubation period is usually between 7 to 14 days with an upper limit of 21 days. Laboratory diagnosis is imperative and requires advanced technical skills and well-advanced laboratory methods. Monkeypox treatment is mainly supportive as there has been no proven treatment available over the years. Tecovirimat is a new antiviral which has received approval but still in limited supply, however, the use of smallpox vaccine, cidofovir, ST-246, and vaccinia immune globulin (VIG) have been recommended in the management of monkeypox outbreaks. Effective prevention depends on minimizing contact with infected patients or animals, practicing good hygienic habits after making contact with infected animals or humans, proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and the use of smallpox vaccination when unprotected exposure occurs. However, new therapeutics and vaccines offer hope for the treatment and prevention of monkeypox. There is therefore, a need for future researches to focus on identifying the virus and its host factors that regulate transmission between humans and animals.