GlobalHealth Threats

Prior to May 2022, few things were known about mpox (formally known as "monkeypox"). First off, the disease was thought to primarily infect humans who had reported previous contact with an infected animal (mostly rodents). Secondly, evidence showed the disease did not easily transmit between humans. Outbreaks before 2022 in non-endemic countries were usually due to a travel-associated case from someone who recently visited an endemic country in Africa, or due to imported animals from the Africa region.

A study published recently describing the evolution of the mpox virus (MPXV) showed how little experts knew about the disease. In the conclusion of the paper, the researchers state "our analyses of MPXV genome sequences indicate that the virus has been circulating silently and undetected for about 2 decades, probably in multiple non–MPXV-endemic countries outside of Africa." Looking at the evolution of the virus also revealed all the mutations which may explain why the disease is much more easily transmitted between humans in the current outbreak.

The findings of this study call for increased surveillance to minimise the undetected spread of mpox. It also highlights the gaps in the world's knowledge of the disease, particularly regarding asymptomatic individuals who may be contributing to this spread.