Monkeypox: An emerging global threat during the COVID-19 pandemic

The emergence of the monkeypox outbreak in early 2022 has posed a new global health threat. As of July 8, 2022, 9069 laboratory-confirmed cases have been reported, and most of them are from non-endemic countries. The monkeypox virus is an enveloped double-stranded DNA virus, and preliminary genetic data suggest that the 2022 monkeypox vi-rus belongs to the West African clade. In the current outbreak, human-to-human transmission has been the primary transmission mode. Although direct skin-to-skin contact with lesions dur-ing sexual activities can spread the virus, it remains unclear whether monkeypox can spread through sexual contact, specifically through contaminated body fluids. The typical presenta-tion of monkeypox includes prodromal symptoms, followed by a rash that usually begins within 1-3 days of symptom onset, and the skin lesions can last for 2-4 weeks and then gradually resolve. However, the monkeypox outbreak in 2022 may exhibit atypical features. A definite diagnosis of monkeypox virus infection requires nucleic acid amplification testing via the poly-merase chain reaction method. Supportive care is essential, and antiviral therapy is not

Automated summary

The emergence of monkeypox outbreak in early 2022 has resulted in 9069 laboratory-confirmed cases, primarily from non-endemic countries. The virus transmission includes human-to-human contact, with unclear evidence of spread through sexual contact.