Monkeypox Virus Infection: A Global Warning for the Possible Next Pandemic

Monkeypox is a rare zoonotic infectious disease. Monkeypox virus belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus of the Poxviridae family which includes both the variola (smallpox) virus and the Vaccinia virus (used in the smallpox vaccine).۱ Monkeypox was initially discovered in ۱۹۵۸ and occurs mostly in Central and West Africa. Monkeypox is a global public health concern because more than ۱۲۰ confirmed or suspected cases of the disease were recently identified in at least ۱۱ nonendemic countries such as North America and Europe in May ۲۰۲۲.۲,۳ Several reasons have been suggested for the recent increase and spread of pandemics in the world. Based on current evidence environmental exploitation caused by land-use changes, deforestation, agriculture expansion, wildlife trade and consumption, and urbanization can disrupt natural interactions between wildlife and their microbes, as well as increase contact between wildlife, livestock, and humans, potentially resulting in new infectious diseases and pandemics around the world.۴,۵