9. Mpox Virus Transmission
The Mpox virus spreads to and between humans when a person comes into
proximity to an infected animal, individual, or objects that are
contaminated. In addition to moving in large airborne droplets that
invade the body via the mouth, eyes, or nose, the virus can also enter
via damaged skin (even undetectable wounds). For efficient
human-to-human transmission, continuous contact is essential since these
droplets are dense and seldom move more than a few feet. As an outcome,
healthcare personnel and those who live in the same household as an
infected person are more vulnerable 11,44.
Among the 2022 outbreak, Mpox cases have indeed been concentrated in
males who have had sex with men (MSM). Although infectious MPXV has been
found in sperm, MPXV DNA has recently been detected in urine, faeces,
rectal swab, nasopharyngeal swab, and saliva. However, it is unknown
whether the virus may infect sperm cells and reproduce in the genital
canal. It is still unknown and under inquiry whether Mpox may be spread
especially via sexual transmission methods. In any case, many are
speculating if the virus has mutated to make easier human-to-human
transmission possible, similar to SARS-CoV-2, in light of this pattern
of transmission and the emergence of Mpox in non-endemic locations. Mpox
is less likely to inherit changes that speed up its spread since it is a
DNA virus, which can detect and correct mutations effectively than RNA
viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 45.