Currently, there is no proven, safe treatment for monkeypox virus infection. For purposes of controlling a monkeypox outbreak in the United States, smallpox vaccine, antivirals, and vaccinia immune globulin (VIG) can be used.
Despite its name, the monkeypox virus no longer comes from monkeys. Scientists aren't certain, but it's thought to be spread by small rodents and squirrels in the rainforests of Africa. There are two types (strains) of monkeypox virus — Central African and West African.
In humans, the symptoms of monkeypox are similar to but milder than the symptoms of smallpox. Monkeypox begins with fever, headache, muscle aches, and exhaustion.
Infection with monkeypox virus begins with an incubation period. A person is not contagious during this period. Incubation period averages 7−14 days but can range from 5−21 days.
At this time, there are no specific treatments available for monkeypox infection, but monkeypox outbreaks can be controlled. Smallpox vaccine, cidofovir, ST-246, and vaccinia immune globulin (VIG) can be used to control a monkeypox outbreak.
Estimates of the case-fatality rate for monkeypox in Africa vary from 1% to 15%, with the highest risk of death in young children. In one study of 300 patients in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the overall mortality rate was 10% and the mortality rate in unvaccinated children was 15-20%.
In the absence of smallpox, the main clinical diagnostic problem is the differentiation of human monkeypox from chickenpox. The presence of lymphadenopathy, pre-eruptive fever and slower maturation of skin lesions are the most important clinical signs supporting correct diagnosis of monkeypox.
About two to four days after fever develops, a rash with papules and pustules develops most often on the face and chest, but other body areas may eventually be affected, including mucus membranes inside the nose and mouth.
While smallpox was eradicated in 1980, monkeypox continues to occur in countries of Central and West Africa
Monkeypox virus is an enveloped double‐stranded DNA virus with a genome size of around 190 kb. It belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus of the Poxviridae family. The Orthopoxvirus genus also includes Vaccinia virus, Cowpox virus, Variola virus and several other, animal-related, poxviruses [2].
The virus, which was first discovered in a lab monkey in the 1960s, causes lymph nodes to swell and brings on a full-body rash. It generally lasts two to four weeks, but as there's no treatment, those who are infected don't need to be hospitalized.
Persons who have had close or intimate contact with individuals or animals confirmed to have Monkeypox should also be vaccinated. These persons can be vaccinated up to 14 days after exposure.
Monkeypox is a relatively uncommon disease. Risk factors include animal bites and scratches from infected animals (mainly African rodents or monkeys) or from other rodents (like prairie dogs) that have had contact with African animals infected with the virus.
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