The Global Health Threat of Monkeypox Virus: Understanding Its Biology, Transmission, and Potential Therapeutic Interventions

Abstract

Yan He,1,* Ying Tang,2,* Caiyun Wang,3 Zilie Zhou,3 Wei Li,4 Man Tian3 1Department of Infection Management, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Ultrasound Diagnostic, Children’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Respiratory, Children’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China; 4Department of Clinical Research, Children’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Wei Li; Man Tian, Email [email protected]; [email protected]: Monkeypox virus (MPXV), a member of the Orthopoxvirus genus, shares its genus with Variola virus (VARV), the causative agent of smallpox, and Vaccinia virus (VACV), used for smallpox vaccination. While smallpox has been eradicated, MPXV and related poxviruses continue to pose a global health threat. Monkeypox (Mpox), similar in clinical presentation to smallpox but milder, is endemic in Central and West Africa. Sporadic outbreaks emphasize the potential for wider dissemination. Understanding their biology, transmission, immune evasion, and clinical features informs disease control strategies. The intersection of medical innovation and biotechnology with poxviruses underscores their importance in both disease and scientific advancement. Further research is essential to enhance prevention, management, and therapeutic interventions for these viruses.Keywords: monkeypox, poxviruses, biology, epidemiology, vaccines and antivirals, biotechnology

Keywords

• monkeypox
• poxviruses
• biology
• epidemiology
• vaccines and antivirals
• biotechnology