Monkeypox Background

A recent virus, monkeypox, is a zoonotic orthopoxvirus. Zoonotic means that the virus can be transferred between species, such as from animals to humans, and orthopoxvirus is a category of viruses that includes smallpox, cowpox, horsepox, and camelpox. Monkeypox was first discovered in 1958 when this pox-like disease occurred in colonies of monkeys that were used for research (that’s why it’s called monkeypox). A majority of the cases have been in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Since monkeypox is located in the same category as smallpox, the two viruses are similar, and the smallpox vaccine is effective against monkeypox. However, when smallpox was eradicated in 1977, the Global Commission for the Certification of Smallpox Eradication decided that smallpox vaccination against monkeypox was not necessary. This claim was backed by the World Health Organization (WHO) after studying a model that simulated the spread of monkeypox in humans.

There was a 2003 outbreak of monkeypox in the US. A shipment of 800 small mammals from Ghana arrived in the US. Some of the mammals were housed near prairie dogs in Illinois. The prairie dogs were sold before exhibiting signs of infection. The humans that had contact with the prairie dogs contracted monkeypox.

Monkeypox symptoms — Is it deadly?

Monkeypox’s symptoms are similar but less severe than smallpox’s symptoms. Monkeypox begins with flu-like symptoms (fever, chills, headache, achy muscles). Unlike smallpox, the lymph nodes, which are part of the immune system, also swell up. The lymph nodes contain white blood cells that combat infections and disease. When they swell, their ability to fend off viruses and bacteria is greatly reduced.

Just like smallpox, a rash can develop on the face and then spread to other parts of the body. Additionally, flat, circular lesions will appear and will eventually develop into bumps field with a clear fluid. The bumps will become crusty before falling off.

Although monkeypox is not deadly and recovery takes around two to four weeks, the lesions can be extremely painful.

How is monkeypox transmitted?

Monkeypox is transmitted in many ways, with some of them being from touching a sick animal, being bit by a sick animal (and the bite breaks the skin), or even cleaning the cage of a sick animal. It is unlikely that monkeypox is spread exclusively from person-to-person contact.

Why is monkeypox in news headlines?

Monkeypox has been relatively controlled and not spread to other countries. Since there is no complete vaccine for monkeypox, it will be hard to cure if it becomes widespread. On May 18, 2022, a U.S. male resident in Massachusetts was tested positive for monkeypox after returning from a trip to Canada. Additionally, countries in Europe and North America have reported multiple clusters of monkeypox, which is especially disturbing.

Vaccine for monkeypox?

Vaccines such as ACAM2000 and JYNNEOS are two licensed vaccines in the US that prevent smallpox. ACAM2000 is a live virus that is injected into the patient. A lesion will develop and the virus may spread to other individuals, so patients with this type of vaccination must take precautions to prevent the spread of smallpox.

JYNNEOS, on the other hand, is a non-replicating live virus that is composed of two injections four weeks apart. Since there are no visible symptoms, smallpox cannot be spread to other parts of the body.

These two vaccines are about 85% effective in preventing monkeypox, but it is possible that they reduce monkeypox’s effect if it is contracted by a vaccinated individual.

Hopefully a vaccine for monkeypox will be developed and deployed soon!

Sources:

CDC. Monkeypox | Poxvirus | CDC. 20 May 2022, https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/index.html.

Rimoin, Anne W., et al. “Major Increase in Human Monkeypox Incidence 30 Years after Smallpox Vaccination Campaigns Cease in the Democratic Republic of Congo.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, vol. 107, no. 37, Sept. 2010, pp. 16262–67. DOI.org (Crossref), https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1005769107.

Davis, Kelly Wairimu and MS. “What to Know About Monkeypox Amid U.S. Cases.” WebMD. Accessed May 24, 2022. https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/news/20220524/what-to-know-monkeypox-us-cases.