A Brief Review on Monkeypox Virus – A Reemerging Epidemic

Abstract

Monkeypox is a zoonotic disease that was initially discovered in northern Africa during the 1970s. The monkeypox virus (MPXV) belongs to the genus Orthopoxvirus, and it shares a strong connection to the now-eradicated smallpox virus, which was caused by the variola virus. The MPXV is a type of double-stranded DNA virus found in the Orthopoxvirus genus within the Poxviridae family. It is categorized into two genetic clades: West African and Central African. Along with three other orthopoxvirus species dangerous to humans, such as variola major virus, which caused smallpox and is now eradicated, variola minor virus, and cowpox virus (CPXV), MPXV poses a threat to human health. In addition, some animal poxviruses can be zoonotic, such as vaccinia virus, CPXV, buffalopox virus, and, in rare cases, camelpox virus. While monkeypox infects a wide range of animals, its natural host reservoir is still not known.