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Monkeypox outbreaks associated with human-to-human transmission outside endemic areas

Study suggests recent monkeypox cases may have new epidemiological characteristics

Date:
September 23, 2022
Source:
PLOS
Summary:
Since May 2022, cases of monkeypox have increased globally, stirring fears of a new pandemic. A new study presents synthesized descriptions of its clinical characteristics, risk factors, infection control and prevention measures, as well as potential treatments.
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Since May 2022, cases of monkeypox have increased globally, stirring fears of a new pandemic. A study published in the open-access journalPLOS Pathogenson September 22 by Professor Souha Kanj and colleagues at the American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon, presents synthesized descriptions of its clinical characteristics, risk factors, infection control and prevention measures, as well as potential treatments.

Historically, monkeypox was mostly confined to endemic areas in Western and Central Africa and was mostly transmitted through contact with infected animals. However, human-to-human transmission has recently become the primary mode of transmission, raising concerns for previous undetected community spread. To better understand the epidemiologic landscape of this emerging outbreak, the authors conducted a literature review of the available evidence on monkeypox. They found that during the current outbreak, confirmed, probable, and/or possible monkeypox cases have increased tenfold across more than seventy-six countries. The data suggest an increase in the disease incidence and possible improved surveillance. Current cases showed a rapid human-to-human transmission, raising concerns for rapid community spread, though not necessarily related to travel to endemic areas in Africa.

The literature review has several limitations, including the small sample size of case studies and the absence of randomized controlled trials on monkeypox therapy, both of which limit generalizability. Larger and more robust studies are needed to determine the specific risk factors, transmission modes, and potential therapeutics, as well as the scope of the current outbreak.

According to the authors, "Key gap information needs to be further studied to provide better answers such as the exact mode of transmission and the role of animal reservoirs. Sexual modes of transmission, genetic mutations, waning immunity from smallpox and previous undetected cases of monkeypox warrant further investigation. Doctors should also keep in mind the atypical presentations and rely on the WHO and CDC criteria to guide patients and help in containing outbreaks."

Kanj and co-authors add, "Monkeypox has been declared as a public health emergency that warrants special attention and early diagnosis in view of its global widespread and atypical presentation."

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Materials provided byPLOS.注意:内容可能被编辑风格d length.


Journal Reference:

  1. Rozana El Eid, Fatima Allaw, Sara F. Haddad, Souha S. Kanj.Human monkeypox: A review of the literature.PLOS Pathogens, 2022; 18 (9): e1010768 DOI:10.1371/journal.ppat.1010768

Cite This Page:

公共科学图书馆。“猴痘爆发与人类t有关o-human transmission outside endemic areas: Study suggests recent monkeypox cases may have new epidemiological characteristics." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 23 September 2022. .
公共科学图书馆。(2022, September 23). Monkeypox outbreaks associated with human-to-human transmission outside endemic areas: Study suggests recent monkeypox cases may have new epidemiological characteristics.ScienceDaily. Retrieved June 29, 2023 from www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/09/220923090913.htm
公共科学图书馆。“猴痘爆发与人类t有关o-human transmission outside endemic areas: Study suggests recent monkeypox cases may have new epidemiological characteristics." ScienceDaily. www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/09/220923090913.htm (accessed June 29, 2023).

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