Debunking the Pandemic Potential of Monkeypox Virus, a Brief Overview of the Current Surge in Monkeypox Virus Infection

Abstract

Monkeypox virus, a member of orthopoxviruses, has recently started to emerge in non-endemic countries worldwide, ringing the false alarms of a possible new epidemic as the world is already fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there are some key differences in the nature of these two infections that require understanding by public health authorities in order to keep the masses safe from another psychological trauma, which has been previously associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. SARS-CoV-2 primarily affects the respiratory tract, whereas the monkeypox virus is mainly associated with skin lesions. Similarly, from symptoms to pathogenesis and from incubation period to treatment, both infections are not alike in many aspects. Monkeypox virus infection is self-limiting and can be treated without new vaccine interventions. Its case fatality ratio is also very low as compared to that of COVID-19. Though monkeypox virus infections can be treated easily, it can cause serious complications in immunocompromised individuals. Therefore, avoiding physical contact with infected individuals is recommended, and care must be taken in this regard.