Is monkeypox going to be the next pandemic?

• Published in: Bulletin of the National Research Centre Vol. 47; no. 1; p. 19
• Main Authors: Adesola, Ridwan Olamilekan, D’Souza, Joanna Nicole, Bello, Aisha Bisola, Mukwekwe, Varaidzo Joyline
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.12.2023; Springer Nature B.V; SpringerOpen
• Subjects: Body fluids; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; Epidemics; Humanities and Social Sciences; Hygiene; Letter to the Editor; Medicine and Human Genetics; Men who have sex with men; Monkeypox; Monkeypox virus; multidisciplinary; Non-endemic; Outbreaks; Pandemics; Science; Science (multidisciplinary); Skin; Smallpox; Vaccines; Viral diseases; Viruses; United Kingdom > UK; COVID-19; Monkeypox virus; Non-endemic; Men who have sex with men
• ISSN: 2522-8307; 1110-0591; 2522-8307
• DOI: 10.1186/s42269-023-00995-1

Background and aims In the current global scenario, the monkeypox virus has infected over 3000 individuals from endemic countries like Nigeria, along with non-endemic countries like the UK, Canada, the USA, etc. Based on the current information, it has been observed that monkeypox cases have primarily, though not exclusively, been found among men who have sex with men (MSM) in countries such as the UK. This article discusses the recent outbreak of monkeypox, its causes, and the various approaches to combat monkeypox infections. Methods We evaluated the trends of recent outbreaks of monkeypox in different countries and compared them to how the COVID-19 pandemic started. Results At present, monkeypox has been reported to spread to over 58 countries via skin-to-skin contact, body fluids, contaminated bed sheets, clothing, or respiratory routes. Smallpox vaccines have been proven to have 85% efficacy against monkeypox. To mitigate this current outbreak, WHO urges people to practice good hygiene and safe sex. The documentation of more cases and further onward spread in the countries in member states are most likely to reoccur, and if not contained, we might experience another global pandemic. Therefore, more research is required to avert this problem. Conclusion Monkeypox virus is testing if we have complied with COVID-19 pandemic lessons and elucidates the urgency of research required to understand the monkeypox disease.