ASSESSING THE CURRENT THREAT OF MONKEYPOX EPIDEMIC EMERGENCE
Authors: Railian M. V. , Chumachenko T. O. , Zubrii O. V. , Nechyporuk I. A. 
Published: May 2023

The purpose of this study was to assess the presence of threats of a pandemic based on the analysis of the prevalence of monkeypox globally in modern conditions.

Materials and methods. The article is devoted to the analysis of cases of monkeypox in the world in 2022 and the evaluation of its pandemic potential in modern conditions. Official data of the World Health Organization, Public Health Centre of Ukraine, European Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, USA were analyzed.

Results and discussion. Taking into account the increasing scale of the monkeypox outbreak in the world, on July 23, 2022, the General Director of the World Health Organization declared the monkeypox outbreak a public health emergency of international importance. During this period, more than 16 thousand cases of monkeypox were registered in 75 countries of the world.

As of October 2, 2022, 68,900 laboratory-confirmed cases of monkeypox and 25 deaths have been reported to the World Health Organization from 106 countries worldwide. Ten countries reporting the highest cumulative number of cases in the world are: United States of America (37.3%), Brazil (11.4%), Spain (10.4%), France (5.8%), Great Britain (5.3%), Germany (5.3%), Peru (3.8%), Colombia (3%), Mexico (2.4%) and Canada (2%). The smallest number was recorded in: Turkey and Indonesia (0.001% each); Moldova, Greenland and Georgia (0.002% each); Monaco (0.004%); Ukraine, Japan and Cuba (0.005% each); China, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Latvia (0.007% each). In Ukraine, the first case of monkeypox was laboratory-confirmed in September 2022. As of October 27, 2022, 4 laboratory-confirmed cases of monkeypox by polymerase chain reaction testing were registered in Ukraine.

Based on the analysis, the transmission of the monkeypox virus primarily occurs through person-to-person contact, often through sexual intercourse. Risk factors for monkeypox include being between the ages of 18 and 44, male gender, engaging in sexual contact with other men, participating in risky sexual behaviour, engaging in sexual contact without condom use, having a history of HIV infection or previous sexually transmitted infections (including syphilis). The following groups are considered at high risk: men who have sex with men, passengers in close proximity to an infected individual on airplanes, healthcare workers, close family members or friends, and anyone who has close contact with an infected person, regardless of gender or sexual orientation. There is a possibility of further spread of the monkeypox virus and the potential for the causative agent to evolve into a pathogen with greater epidemic potential than it currently possesses.

People with monkeypox should avoid contact with animals during the entire period of isolation. In case of suspicion of disease in domestic animals, the veterinary service must be immediately notified.

Conclusion. Currently, the pandemic potential of the virus is insignificant; monkeypox is less contagious compared to other infections that caused pandemics, it is transmitted only in conditions of close contact with a sick person, a contaminated object, or an infected animal. The cases are found in certain groups of behavioural risk. In order to better understand the variability of the epidemiology of monkeypox, the current and future trends in the development of the epidemic process of monkeypox, it is necessary to carry out constant surveillance.