A Review on MPOX: Epidermiology, Signs and Symptoms, Prevention and About Their Medications

Abstract

Monkeypox isaviral zoonoticdisease caused by themonkeypox virus, amember of theOrthopox virusgenus. Historically, monkeypox wastransmitted through direct contact with infected animals or humans, or via contaminated materials. However, recent observations suggest, that the virus can also spread through close physical contact, including during sexual activity.Although monkeypox is not classified as asexually transmittedinfection,sexualtransmissioncanoccurduetotheclosecontactinvolved.Thediseasepresentswith symptoms like thesmallpox, including fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes. Understanding the multifaceted transmission pathways of monkeypox, includingpotential sexual transmission, is crucial for effective public health interventions and prevention strategies.

Introduction

Summary:

Monkeypox virus (MPXV) is an Orthopoxvirus causing a smallpox-like disease. Since the 2022 outbreak, over 97,000 cases and 207 deaths have been reported worldwide across more than 110 countries, mostly in non-endemic areas like China. The virus has two main clades: Clade I (Central African), linked to severe symptoms and high mortality (4–11%), and Clade II (West African), associated with milder disease and lower mortality (<4%). The current global outbreak is caused by Clade IIb, which differs genetically from previous strains.

Orthopoxviruses are zoonotic DNA viruses primarily infecting animals, with some capable of transmitting to humans through direct contact, respiratory droplets, or contaminated materials. Monkeypox primarily infects humans via animal reservoirs like African rodents and squirrels. Human transmission occurs through close contact, including sexual activity, contaminated objects, and mother-to-child during pregnancy or birth. The virus was first identified in monkeys in 1959 and in humans in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Epidemiology:
Monkeypox is endemic in Central and West African rainforests, with sporadic outbreaks linked to travel or animal importation outside Africa. The Democratic Republic of Congo reports the highest cases. Since 2022, cases surged globally, especially among men who have sex with men (MSM), with WHO declaring a public health emergency.

Transmission:
Animal-to-human transmission occurs via bites, scratches, or contact with infected animals or their fluids. Human-to-human spread happens through skin contact, respiratory droplets, contaminated surfaces, and sexual contact, with MSM networks playing a key role. Vertical transmission during pregnancy can harm the fetus.

Symptoms:
Initial symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes. A characteristic rash develops, progressing from flat spots to pustules and scabs. Other symptoms may include gastrointestinal and respiratory issues, conjunctivitis, and rarely neurological complications.

Prevention:
Avoiding contact with wild animals, safe handling practices, isolation of cases, PPE use, hygiene, vaccination of close contacts, and safe sexual practices are key preventive measures. Public health education and stigma reduction are important for control.

Diagnosis:
Clinical diagnosis is supported by symptoms, exposure history, and confirmed by PCR testing of lesions or fluids. Differential diagnoses include chickenpox and smallpox.

Treatment:
Antiviral drugs like Tecovirimat are primary treatments, supported by symptom management and wound care. Isolation and contact tracing help control spread. Vaccination with the JYNNEOS vaccine provides prevention against monkeypox and smallpox.

Conclusion

Monkeypox virus (MPXV) is a type of Orthopox virus that leads to a disease like smallpox. Over 97,000 cases have been confirmed in the 2022 outbreak as of 25 June 2024, with more expected.There have been reports of 207 deaths worldwide. There have been instances of Monkeypox (m-pox) cases over 110 countries, with the majority being listed in non-endemic countries consisting of the country of China. In the most recent epidemic, the reported mortality rate was relatively low at 0.46% compared to the expected indigenous strains of MPXV.InAugust, the number of global infection cases hit a peak. 2022 when the outbreak first started.At that moment, there have been reports of two distinct clades. Clade- I am predominantlyfoundinCentralAfrica, particularlyin theDemocraticRepublicoftheCongo(DRC)andislinkedtosevere clinical symptoms and significant mortality rates ranging from 4-11%. while clade II was predominantly restricted to West Africa until the worldwide outbreakin2022resultsinmildersymptomsandamortalityratebelow4%.Currently,most,geneticinformation is available. Sequences are linked to clade IIb, which sparked the current worldwide outbreak. Monkeypox outbreak occurring between 2022 and 2024. It differs in phylogenetic lineage from previous. Endemic strains of MPXV suggest potential variations in its virological characteristic. Hence, it is essential to recognize nucleotide conservation for upcoming primer design in nucleic acid studies tests for acidity.[

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Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Prof. Mrs. Pooja Deshmane, Tejas Yadav, Prashant Aher, Santosh Adhe, Gajanan Ambhure, Agra Mudassir Mujeeb UR Rehman. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.