Abstract
Monkey pox has recently garnered significant attention due to the proliferation of re-emerging and emerging infectious diseases, particularly epidemic-scale outbreaks. Mpox was initially identified as a discrete illness in 1958 among laboratory monkeys in Copenhagen, Denmark. The initial case of monkey pox infection in humans was documented in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The patient was a nine-month-old boy who was the sole member of his family to lack smallpox vaccination. The monkey pox virus is a zoonotic virus belonging to the family Poxviridae, subfamily Chordopoxvirinae, and genus Orthopoxvirus. Transmission of monkey pox occurs via direct contact with an infected individual or surface. Additionally, transmission between humans can occur via the bodily fluids of an infected individual. This review article addresses all aspects of this disease, beginning with an introduction, history, virology, clinical features, and complications. It then turns to clinical differential diagnosis with similar diseases, epidemiology, prevalence, animal hosts, virus transmission, disease diagnosis, prevention and treatment, and finally, future risks. In light of the aforementioned considerations, this article presents a comprehensive review of the various facets of the disease, offering a valuable resource for researchers and policymakers in the domains of health and public health. The article's insights into the disease's characteristics, its impact on human and animal health, and its potential as a zoonotic disease underscore the importance of disease prevention.