Monkeypox: A Global Challenge

Monkeypox has emerged as the most significant human pathogen in recent times and is a rapidly growing threat to public health globally. Monkeypox virus is an orthopoxvirus, that belongs to the Poxviridae family. The smallpox virus also belongs to this family. Monkeypox virus, endemic to Central an...

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Main Authors: Sannia Perwaiz Iqbal, Sajid Abbas Jaffri
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Liaquat National Hospital and Medical College 2022-11-01
Series:Liaquat National Journal of Primary Care
Subjects:
Online Access:https://journals.lnh.edu.pk/lnjpc/pdf/019a2d08-b154-47db-bbf2-a87e15ff61ce.pdf
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author Sannia Perwaiz Iqbal
Sajid Abbas Jaffri
author_facet Sannia Perwaiz Iqbal
Sajid Abbas Jaffri
author_sort Sannia Perwaiz Iqbal
collection DOAJ
description Monkeypox has emerged as the most significant human pathogen in recent times and is a rapidly growing threat to public health globally. Monkeypox virus is an orthopoxvirus, that belongs to the Poxviridae family. The smallpox virus also belongs to this family. Monkeypox virus, endemic to Central and West Africa can infect various animal species but can also transmit to humans. Monkeypox viruses circulate among wild animals and usually spread to people when they eat or have other close contacts with infected animals. Getting bitten or scratched by the infected animal, direct contact with its bodily fluids, blood, blisters or scabs; indirect contact with lesion material, e.g. contaminated bedding, linens and even eating the undercooked animal infected with monkeypox, could result in transmission. Among humans, Monkeypox is contracted through close physical contact, and contact with contaminated materials. Monkeypox presents with fever, headaches, myalgia, and enlarged lymph nodes. This is followed by a rash that starts from mouth to face and spreads to the trunk and arms. The illness is usually mild and patients fully recover within four weeks. Nucleic acid testing (NAT) is the primary diagnostic tool for detection. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is the preferred method for NAT. Treatment is mainly supportive and is directed to alleviate symptoms, prevent long-term sequelae and mitigate disease spread. Patients require isolation and symptomatic care. The smallpox vaccine, antiviral agents and vaccinia immunoglobulin (VIG) have been used in earlier outbreaks but sufficient evidence to recommend their use is still lacking.
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spelling doaj.art-2ccb361224a8451fb2a413ba63bb6a6e2022-12-22T04:38:48ZengLiaquat National Hospital and Medical CollegeLiaquat National Journal of Primary Care2707-35212708-91342022-11-0142134140https://doi.org/10.37184/lnjpc.2707-3521.4.29Monkeypox: A Global ChallengeSannia Perwaiz Iqbal0Sajid Abbas Jaffri1Department of Family Medicine, Bahria University Health Sciences, Karachi, PakistanDepartment of Family Medicine, Bahria University Health Sciences, Karachi, PakistanMonkeypox has emerged as the most significant human pathogen in recent times and is a rapidly growing threat to public health globally. Monkeypox virus is an orthopoxvirus, that belongs to the Poxviridae family. The smallpox virus also belongs to this family. Monkeypox virus, endemic to Central and West Africa can infect various animal species but can also transmit to humans. Monkeypox viruses circulate among wild animals and usually spread to people when they eat or have other close contacts with infected animals. Getting bitten or scratched by the infected animal, direct contact with its bodily fluids, blood, blisters or scabs; indirect contact with lesion material, e.g. contaminated bedding, linens and even eating the undercooked animal infected with monkeypox, could result in transmission. Among humans, Monkeypox is contracted through close physical contact, and contact with contaminated materials. Monkeypox presents with fever, headaches, myalgia, and enlarged lymph nodes. This is followed by a rash that starts from mouth to face and spreads to the trunk and arms. The illness is usually mild and patients fully recover within four weeks. Nucleic acid testing (NAT) is the primary diagnostic tool for detection. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is the preferred method for NAT. Treatment is mainly supportive and is directed to alleviate symptoms, prevent long-term sequelae and mitigate disease spread. Patients require isolation and symptomatic care. The smallpox vaccine, antiviral agents and vaccinia immunoglobulin (VIG) have been used in earlier outbreaks but sufficient evidence to recommend their use is still lacking.https://journals.lnh.edu.pk/lnjpc/pdf/019a2d08-b154-47db-bbf2-a87e15ff61ce.pdfmonkeypoxanimal diseasespoxviridae infectionsorthopoxvirusesglobal health.
spellingShingle Sannia Perwaiz Iqbal
Sajid Abbas Jaffri
Monkeypox: A Global Challenge
Liaquat National Journal of Primary Care
monkeypox
animal diseases
poxviridae infections
orthopoxviruses
global health.
title Monkeypox: A Global Challenge
title_full Monkeypox: A Global Challenge
title_fullStr Monkeypox: A Global Challenge
title_full_unstemmed Monkeypox: A Global Challenge
title_short Monkeypox: A Global Challenge
title_sort monkeypox a global challenge
topic monkeypox
animal diseases
poxviridae infections
orthopoxviruses
global health.
url https://journals.lnh.edu.pk/lnjpc/pdf/019a2d08-b154-47db-bbf2-a87e15ff61ce.pdf
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