Monkeypox 2022: Gearing Up for Another Potential Public Health Crisis

Abstract

Monkeypox virus, a member of the Orthopoxvirus genus, was first identified as the etiology of monkeypox in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of Congo and remains endemic in regions of Central and West Africa. Following the most recent outbreak of monkeypox in multiple countries throughout Europe and North America, the infection has been declared a public health emergency by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Within this report, we aim to provide clinicians with a focused overview of the epidemiology, clinical manifestation, diagnosis, and approaches to treat and prevent monkeypox infection amidst the global outbreak.