Mpox Virus

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Mpox Virus

MP ox Virus

Context: Recently, a study unveiled a novel adaptation mechanism of the MP ox virus that enhances its ability to infect humans during recent outbreaks. The name was altered from \'monkeypox\' to \'mpox\' to mitigate stigma towards monkeys and better signify the virus\'s direct infectivity in humans.

About:

• Viral Characteristics:
o MP ox is a DNA virus belonging to the family Poxviridae, which includes large, double-stranded DNA viruses.
• Origin and Hosts:
o Initially identified in monkeys in 1958, Mpox has been found to infect humans as well.
• Transmission:
o The virus is primarily transmitted to humans from animals, particularly rodents and primates, through direct contact or contact with contaminated objects.
• Symptoms:
o In humans, Mpox infection typically presents with symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle aches, and a distinctive rash evolving from macules to papules, vesicles, and pustules.
• Vaccination:
o Although a vaccine for Mpox exists, its availability and effectiveness are limited, underscoring the necessity for improved prevention and control strategies.

Key Points about Mpox (Monkeypox) Outbreaks and Genomic Features

Global Outbreaks (2022-2023)	Mpox outbreak affected over 100,000 people in more than 118 countries, characterized by high human-tohuman transmission, including via close contact and sexual route.
WHO Declaration	WHO declared the mpox outbreak a public health emergency, leading to coordinated global efforts to control its spread.
Genomic Features
Clades and Lineages	Mpox genomes are divided into clades I and II; clade I associated with higher mortality. The 2022 outbreak involved a new lineage, clade IIb, adept at human-tohuman transmission.
Genomic Analysis	Research identified a distinct clade I lineage linked to human-to-human transmission, indicating recent zoonotic spillover
Evolutionary Adaptations	Mpox viruses exhibit genomic accordion through gene duplication or deletion, adapting to different hosts and environments.
Study Findings (Nature Communications)	Genome sequencing of the 2022 outbreak revealed specific genomic sections influencing human-to-human transmission, termed as the virus\'s genomic accordions.

Comparison of Smallpox, Monkeypox, and Chickenpox	Smallpox	Monkeypox	Chickenpox
Virus	Variola virus	Monkeypox virus	Varicella-zoster virus (VZV)
Severity	Highly severe, often fatal	Milder than smallpox, rarely fatal	Mild
Status	Eradicated in 1980	Endemic in Central and West Africa, cases emerging elsewhere	Common childhood illness, less common due to vaccination
Transmission	Highly contagious through respiratory droplets and contact with infected lesions	Spread through contact with infected animals, lesions, or bodily fluids	Highly contagious through respiratory droplets and contact with lesions
Symptoms	Fever, headache, severe fatigue, vomiting, followed by a deep-seated, pus-filled rash	Fever, headache, swollen lymph nodes, followed by a rash that progresses through stages	Fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, followed by an itchy, fluidfilled rash
Vaccination	No longer needed	Not routinely recommended, may be given to high-risk individuals	Routine vaccination for children and adults who haven\'t had chickenpox