The changing epidemiology of human monkeypox—A potential threat? A systematic review

🤖 Plain-English Summary

Monkeypox, a zoonotic disease caused by an orthopoxvirus, results in a smallpox-like disease in humans. The appearance of outbreaks beyond Africa highlights the global relevance of the disease.

🔑 Key Findings

• Since monkeypox in humans was initially diagnosed in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), it has spread to other regions of Africa (primarily West and Central), and cases outside Africa have emerged in recent years.
• We conducted a systematic review of peer-reviewed and grey literature on how monkeypox epidemiology has evolved, with particular emphasis on the number of confirmed, probable, and/or possible cases, age at presentation, mortality, and geographical spread.
• The review is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42020208269).

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