A Review of India in the Midst of another Epidemic with Monkeypox

Abstract

Monkeypox virus is an Orthopoxvirus of the Poxviridae family that is of zoonotic origin. It is a double-stranded DNA virus similar to the eradicated smallpox virus. Monkeypox disease caused by this virus is mainly endemic to western and central African region. The disease has now garnered the attention of global public health as it has been declared monkeypox as a disease of Global Health Emergency of International Concern on 23rd July 2022, due to an explosion of non-endemic cases in 78 Member states across all 6 WHO regions, including India which has recorded 5 cases till date. Increased surveillance and detection of cases are essential to understanding the continuously changing epidemiology of this resurging disease. The Smallpox vaccine is the most readily available protective agent against this disease, and it needs to be stockpiled to be deployed in case of an outbreak in the country. The disease is neither novel nor very mutable, so if our country is adequately prepared, there is less chance of this becoming a big public health concern. Viral behaviour is worrying, but nothing can substitute full-fledged preparation after two years of an intensive phase of the health system through COVID-19. Monkeypox can also be controlled and perhaps one day, like Smallpox, can be eradicated from this world with vaccination, appropriate treatment and personal protective measures.