MONKEYPOX CASES ARE STILL INCREASING AROUND THE WORLD AMID THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: COULD THIS HEALTH SITUATION BE A GLOBAL THREAT?

Human monkeypox is a zoonotic disease resulting from the monkeypox virus (MPXV). During the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, MPXV has become a global concern. From 1 January to 22 June of the current year, the World Health Organization (WHO) received reports of 3413 confirmed cases and one death. The most common cases (98%) have been recorded since May of this year (2022). The ongoing outbreak is largely affecting men who have sex with men (MSM). Most of the confirmed cases (86%, n=2933) have occurred in the WHO European countries. Other confirmed cases have been documented from the Americas (11%, n=381), Africa (2%, n=73), Western Pacific (less than 1%, n=11), and Eastern Mediterranean (less than 1%, n=15) regions. It is too early to decide whether the monkeypox outbreak is an independent phenomenon or has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, global healthcare organizations should apply precautionary measures to stop this outbreak.