Breaking research

Monkeypox articles for use

Peer-reviewed

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A child with monkey pox

Monkeypox has been known to be in existence in humans since the 1970s. Therefore, fortunately, there is already a wealth of information and research on this virus. You can access a vast array of research on the topic for your articles by signing up for our Press Pass service.

The Press Pass will provide you immediate online access to over 4 million peer-reviewed academic research articles, including on anything associated with this new potential endemic.

For now, please find our top recommended articles to start with:

•    An overview of tecovirimat for smallpox treatment and expanded anti-orthopoxvirus applications (2020)

The vaccine, Tecovirimat, shows broad efficacy against orthopoxviruses (such as monkeypox) in vitro and in vivo and could be developed for use against emerging orthopoxvirus diseases such as monkeypox, vaccination-associated adverse events, and side effects of vaccinia oncolytic virus therapy.
Tecovirimat (TPOXX®; ST-246) was approved for the treatment of symptomatic smallpox by the USFDA in July of 2018 and has been stockpiled by the US government for use in a smallpox outbreak.

•    Modelling of optimal vaccination strategies in response to a bioterrorism associated smallpox outbreak (2020)

The smallpox vaccine treats monkeypox. However, a ‘covid style’ roll-out is unlikely. The tactic will likely be to vaccinate close contacts of those infected – which is how smallpox was eradicated in India. This article models how the vaccine could be delivered on mass.

•    The new ACAM2000™ vaccine and other therapies to control orthopoxvirus outbreaks and bioterror attacks (2014)

ACAM2000™ is one of the new generation of smallpox vaccines, approved for use against monkeypox. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved ACAM2000 in August 2007.  By February 2008, it replaced Dryvax for all smallpox vaccinations. As of 2010, there were over 200 million doses manufactured for the U.S. Strategic National Stockpile.

This article explores the benefits of ACAM2000.

•   Importance of epidemiological research of monkeypox: is incidence increasing? (2020)

Experts witness a rise in cases in Africa, back in 2020. They state that epidemiological and basic research to unravel the source and mode of transmission of the monkeypox virus and the true incidence of this disease demands greater attention.

•    Monkeypox re-emergence in Africa: a call to expand the concept and practice of One Health (2019)

A review of laboratory and field studies, which examines the susceptibility of various animal’s monkeypox virus infections, and the competence of various species to serve as reservoirs or transmission hosts. The article also focuses on where research would be best targeted to prevent the virus.

•    Recent Animal Disease Outbreaks and Their Impact on Human Populations (2008)

Monkeypox has been witnessed in dogs previously.

In 2003, an outbreak in the United States associated with legally imported African ‘pocket pets’ led to 72 suspected human cases in six states. Eighteen persons were hospitalized, some because of the potential for human-to-human spread. Interestingly, a number of the cases were veterinarians or veterinary technicians exposed while treating ill pets, highlighting the potential occupational risk. The majority of patients had direct or close contact with prairie dogs. These prairie dogs were infected by close contact with imported animals (including rope squirrels, tree squirrels, Gambian giant rats, brushtail porcupines and dormice) from Ghana shipped to a distributor in Texas

•    Smallpox antiviral drug development: satisfying the animal efficacy rule (2006)

Why aren’t there antiviral treatments against smallpox and related viruses, such as monkeypox yet? This article discusses how the development of antiviral drugs for the treatment of diseases where human clinical trials that measure compound efficacy are either unethical or are not feasible – which, therefore pose a challenge for drug development.

•    Edward Jenner and the History of Smallpox and Vaccination (2017)

Preparedness for monkeypox couldn’t be more distant to when covid struck, and that’s thanks to the smallpox vaccine. This article explores the history of smallpox, vaccination, and the scientist influential in eradicating the virus, Edward Jenner

•    Spreading Ebola Panic: Newspaper and Social Media Coverage of the 2014 Ebola Health Crisis (2018)

Misleading monkeypox information in the media, and social media, could further fuel public anxiety – as was the case with Ebola in 2014. This research examines the variety of coverage during that crisis eight years ago.