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Monkeypox virus

SARS-CoV-2

Metabolism

Monkeypox virus

　　Monkeypox is a viral zoonotic disease that occurs in humans with symptoms similar to those seen in smallpox patients in the past. However, since the world eradication of smallpox in 1980, smallpox no longer exists, and monkeypox is still circulating in parts of Africa.

　　Monkeypox occurs in monkeys in the rainforests of west-central Africa, and can also infect other animals and occasionally humans. The clinical presentation is similar to that of smallpox, but the disease is milder. The disease is caused by monkeypox virus, which belongs to a group of viruses that includes smallpox virus and is used in smallpox vaccines and cowpox virus, but needs to be distinguished from smallpox and chickenpox. This virus can be transmitted from animals to humans through direct close contact and can also be transmitted from human to human. The main routes of infection include blood and body fluids. However, monkeypox is much less contagious than smallpox virus.

　　The 2022 monkeypox outbreak was first detected in the United Kingdom on May 7, 2022 local time. On May 29 local time, WHO issued a disease information circular and assessed the global public health risk of monkeypox as moderate. On July 23, the WHO held a press conference in Geneva, where Director-General Tandezai announced that the monkeypox outbreak was classified as a "public health emergency of international concern".

　　On November 28, 2022, WHO issued a statement saying that it would begin using the new term "mpox" as a synonym for monkeypox. According to WHO, the two names will be used together for one year, while "monkeypox" will be phased out.

　　On May 11, 2023, WHO held a regular briefing in which WHO Director-General Tandezai announced that the monkeypox outbreak no longer constituted a "public health emergency of international concern.