#monkeypox vs. smallpox

Evaluating the Market Trends of Monkeypox and How Pharma Companies are Reacting !!

The ongoing outbreak of the Monkeypox virus has attracted the eyes of many people and in the meantime worried about its incidence in the general population. Previously, Monkeypox was considered a rare disease caused by an infection due to the Monkeypox virus. The consistent rise of the Zoonosis Human Monkeypox (MPX) originated its way back from the year 1958 when two outbreaks of pox-like disease were observed in some species of monkeys, hence the name originated “Monkeypox”. The virus belongs to an Orthopoxvirus genus in the Poxvirus family. The genus also includes the outbreak of other viruses that cause similar diseases namely, cowpox virus, and variola virus (the virus causing smallpox).

What is Monkeypox?

The first-ever case of Monkeypox was seen in the Democratic Republic of Congo during a time when escalated efforts were being made to eliminate smallpox. Since that time, the spread of Monkeypox in humans has been reported in many central and western African countries. The cases of Monkeypox were observed outside of Africa also, in the countries including Singapore, the United States, and the United Kingdom, these cases were linked to the international travel or importing animals from outside the country. The actual occurrence of Monkeypox is still unknown, but evidently, African rodents and monkeys supposedly harbor the virus and the cause of Monkeypox in people.

The symptoms of Monkeypox are similar to that are seen in Smallpox, but are milder in occurrence. The symptoms of Monkeypox generally include headaches, slight fever, muscle aches, and exhaustion. The incubation time of Monkeypox is around 7-14 days, after which the mild symptoms due to the virus-like – fever, and rashes in the face starts spreading throughout the body, which can be seen effectively. The effective diagnosis of Monkeypox can be carried out successfully through the laboratory tests such as – histopathology, virus isolation test, and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). 

Monkeypox Prevention 

Smallpox vaccination is seen to be a reliable option in protecting from the Monkeypox Virus but has its own limitation depending from person to person. The prevention of Monkeypox relies on limiting human contact with infected animals and reducing person-to-person transmission. A variety of precautions can be taken to avoid the infection of Monkeypox virus such as – 

Avoid contact with any infected animal

Avoid contact with contaminated bedding and other materials

Use a PPE kit when treating a person infected with the virus

Cook the food thoroughly that contains animal meat or parts

Make a distance from the person infected to reduce the transmission

Monkeypox Treatment

Currently, there is no approved vaccine available for the treatment of Monkeypox infections, However, the antivirals developed for use in smallpox patients may be helpful in reducing the transmission of the virus. There are some medicinal countermeasures available from the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) as treatment options for Monkeypox, such as – Tecovirimat (SIGA Technologies), Cidofovir (Gilead), and Vaccinia Immune Globulin Intravenous (Cangene Corporation).

Is Monkeypox Deadly?

Monkeypox infection is caused by the virus of the same family that is responsible for smallpox outbreak. The severity of monkeypox is less than that of samllpox, though the symptoms of flu and illness are the same in both the diseases.

Future of Monkeypox Virus

Around 50 Monkeypox cases were reported in West Central Africa, back in the 1990s, whereas, monkeypox outbreak 2020 had a total of 5000 cases, reported of Monkeypox infection. In the current year 2022, around 1500+ cases of Monkeypox have been reported till now, in over 25+ countries.

Researchers and Scientists believe that there are still additional cases of Monkeypox which are undetected, and the virus is spreading at a greater rate. The growing prevalence in the cases of Monkeypox is serving as a medical challenge throughout the world, although potential treatments and vaccines are still one to look out for this virus.

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