1. Introduction
Monkeypox (Mpox) is a rare viral disease and an agent of the genus
Orthopoxvirus. The illness, which is primarily seen in Central and West
Africa, is comparable to smallpox, which was declared extinct in 1980.
As a zoonotic virus, the Mpox virus most frequently infects humans
through contact with rodents and primates that have the disease. Fever,
chilliness, enlarged lymph nodes, headache, back pain, muscle aches, and
fatigue are some of the symptoms of Mpox. A rash typically starts on the
face before spreading to other body parts. Mpox can occasionally result
in serious disease and even death, especially in people with weakened
immune systems. The World Health Organization has recommended adding
Mpox to its list of conditions that could cause a public health
emergency of global concern (WHO). The disease was identified in humans
for the first time in 1970, and periodic outbreaks have been noted. It
is common in certain parts of Central and West Africa. Uncertainty still
exists over the extent of Mpox transmission in Africa, which may be
underreported1. In recent years few cases of Mpox have
been documented in the United States and the United Kingdom, most
usually among travelers from the affected African nations. Given that
the Mpox virus is a zoonotic disease, it is crucial to understand the
role that wildlife plays in its maintenance and dissemination. Hence, to
control and halt the spread of the illness, a study on the epidemiology,
ecology, and monitoring of Mpox is essential2-4.