Monkeypox Cannot Cause a Pandemic like COVID-19

Introduction

Monkeypox is a disease affected by Orthopoxvirus virus that is a viral zoonotic infection; it can occur in humans and some animals and can be transmitted from animals to humans or person to person. The transmission of monkeypox from human to human is transmitted via close contact with someone who has a monkeypox rash in his/her body, including through skin-to-skin contact [1]. The monkeypox virus has one ds DNA (double-stranded DNA) in the genus Orthopoxvirus that is a virus in Poxviridae family. The virus is usually found in tropical rainforest areas of Central and West of Africa [2].

The number of monkeypox cases has increased in Europe, South America, Asia, Africa, and Australia [3]. As of 23 July 2022, there have been a 17186 confirmed cases reported from different countries [4]. For this reason on 23 July 2022, the WHO (World Health Organization) acknowledged the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) [5, 6].

Until 45 years ago, smallpox vaccine (the smallpox vaccine is effective against monkey pox too) was given in all countries, but Due to the eradication of smallpox, this vaccine was not used. It is seen that most of the patients with diphtheria are under the age of 45. Because there is a good immunity against monkey pox in 45 years. Monkeypox will not pose as much danger to the world as coronavirus, because Letter to Editor the smallpox is in Orthopoxvirus family, the smallpox vaccine can protect us against monkey pox (with 80-85% efficacy). There are lots of similar epitopes on both viruses surface. In addition the result obtained from different study showed that FDA approved agent tecovirimat is effective against monkey pox.