Monkeypox in humans – the review

Abstract

Monkeypox is an emerging zoonotic disease caused by the monkeypox virus with a presentation similar to smallpox. Being previously endemic to Africa, now the disease is spreading across the world, causing fear of a potential next pandemic. Smallpox vaccine, previously providing cross-immunity to monkeypox virus, due to cessation of vaccinations, caused the decline in immunity against these viruses. Defined ways of transmission are animal-to-human through consumption or attack by an affected animal, human-to-human through close contact, or via respiratory droplets. Currently, there are no specific antiviral drugs and vaccine specific to monkeypox, and for symptomatic care, there are no determined guidelines.

Keywords

• monkeypox
• virus
• pandemic