Important Facts on Monkeypox

What is Monkeypox Disease?

Monkeypox (MPX) is a rare viral infection caused by the monkeypox virus, which belongs to the group of Orthopox viruses (same family of smallpox).

Interesting Facts About Monkeypox

With the rapid increase in the 2022 outbreak of monkeypox cases, alarming rates of misconceptions and concern have coursed among the public. Some of the facts that may help diminish this distress and better help cope with the outbreak are the following:

1. Did you know that monkeypox does not spread because of monkeys? Since the virus was first discovered in monkeys in 1958 in a Danish laboratory, the name followed(1^✔ ✔Trusted Source
   Monkeypox Virus Fact Sheet
   
   Go to source).
2. The viral transmission of monkeypox in humans occurs via close contact (body fluids, blood, lesions, and respiratory droplets) with an infected person/animal or their contaminants(2^✔ ✔Trusted Source
   Monkeypox
   
   Go to source).
3. Nearly 90% to 95% of the monkeypox virus was found to have been transmitted via sexual contact as per a recent study at the Queen Mary University of London and another study of more than 3,900 infected people(3^✔ ✔Trusted Source
   Monkeypox Virus Infection in Humans across 16 Countries - April-June 2022
   
   Go to source).

4. This adds to the evidence that sexual transmission of the virus is indeed contributing factor to the monkeypox outbreak, although not the lone source(4^✔ ✔Trusted Source
   Monkeypox: The myths, misconceptions - and facts - about how you catch it
   
   Go to source).
5. The first case of human monkeypox was identified in a 9-month-old boy in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo - a smallpox-free declared region in 1968(1^✔ ✔Trusted Source
   Monkeypox Virus Fact Sheet
   
   Go to source, 2^✔ ✔Trusted Source
   Monkeypox
   
   Go to source).
6. Although monkeypox is generally a self-limited disease (full recovery in 2-4 weeks)(7^✔ ✔Trusted Source
   Monkeypox - Causes, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
   
   Go to source), the risk of dying from it is around 3–6% (even higher among young children) as reported recently(2^✔ ✔Trusted Source
   Monkeypox
   
   Go to source).
7. Prior vaccination against smallpox may help limit the severity of monkeypox(2^✔ ✔Trusted Source
   Monkeypox
   
   Go to source).
8. Vaccines against smallpox — that were used for its eradication program are found to render protection against monkeypox in almost 85% of cases(5^✔ ✔Trusted Source
   Monkeypox: Symptoms, Treatment and Facts
   
   Go to source).

9. An antiviral agent (tecovirimat) developed against smallpox by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in 2022 has been approved for Monkeypox treatment(2^✔ ✔Trusted Source
   Monkeypox
   
   Go to source).
10. Monkeypox can also be prevented by the use of a new FDA-approved vaccine — JYNNEOS (Modified Vaccinia Ankara-Bavarian Nordic (MVA-BN))(3^✔ ✔Trusted Source
    Monkeypox Virus Infection in Humans across 16 Countries - April-June 2022
    
    Go to source), and ACAM2000 (live vaccinia virus smallpox vaccine) under FDA’s Expanded Access Investigational New Drug (IND) mechanism(6^✔ ✔Trusted Source
    Key Facts About Vaccines to Prevent Monkeypox Disease
    
    Go to source).
11. Although there have been certain trials against monkeypox, it is advisable to continue the basic preventive measures like avoiding contact with infected ones or their contaminants, washing your hands with soap and water frequently, practicing safe sex, and using personal protective equipment (PPE) like masks when around/caring for infected ones(7^✔ ✔Trusted Source
    Monkeypox - Causes, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
    
    Go to source).

References:

1. Monkeypox Virus Fact Sheet - (https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/Documents/Diseases%20and%20Conditions/Monkeypox.pdf)
2. Monkeypox - (https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/monkeypox)
3. Monkeypox Virus Infection in Humans across 16 Countries — April–June 2022 - (https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2207323)
4. Monkeypox: The myths, misconceptions — and facts — about how you catch it - (https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2022/08/05/1115859376/clearing-up-some-of-the-myths-that-have-popped-up-about-monkeypox)
5. Monkeypox: Symptoms, Treatment and Facts - (https://www.medicoverhospitals.in/articles/monkey-pox)
6. Key Facts About Vaccines to Prevent Monkeypox Disease - (https://www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/vaccines/key-facts-about-vaccines-prevent-monkeypox-disease)
7. Monkeypox - Causes, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention - (https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22371-monkeypox)