Emerging Infectious Diseases

Human Monkeypox: an emerging zoonosis

Human monkeypox is a rare viral zoonosis that is native to Central and Western Africa but has lately spread to the United States. Although the monkeypox virus's natural animal reservoir is unknown, rodents are the most likely cause of its introduction into the United States. Since the eradication of smallpox in the 1970s, monkeypox has become the most common orthopoxvirus infection in humans. Human monkeypox currently lacks a recognised cure, and concerns about its potential as a bioterrorism agent linger.