MONKEYPOX : A DISTURBING VIRAL OUTBREAK IN NON-ENDEMIC REGION IN 2022 : HERBAL TREATMENT OPTIONS

Monkeypox is an emerging zoonotic viral disease infecting both animal and human. Monkeypox is a large double stranded DNA virus, and always infection has been considered as rare and self-limiting. However, recent sporadic reports of monkeypox outbreak in non-endemic region in 2022 is very disturbing. Therefore, monkeypox virus is considered as a high threat pathogen causing a disease of public health importance. WHO has considered monkeypox outbreak represents a public health emergency of international concern. This is the highest level of warning issued by the UN agency, which currently applies only to the COVID-19 pandemic and polio. The outbreak of monkeypox viral disease in non-endemic region (31 countries) in 2022 outside of Africa could be disastrous. The clinical features of monkeypox are very similar to those of smallpox. Routine smallpox vaccination ended decades ago, there is growing concern that monkeypox may become the next emerging poxvirus to plague humankind. Therefore, there is an urgent need to focus on building surveillance capacities which will provide valuable information for designing appropriate prevention, preparedness and response activities. This literature review paper also discussed about the herbal treatment options for controlling monkeypox virus and antiviral activities of the plants have been listed.