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Factors affecting the likelihood of monkeypox's emergence and spread in the post-smallpox era.
- Source :
- Current Opinion in Virology; Jun2012, Vol. 2 Issue 3, p335-343, 9p
- Publication Year :
- 2012
-
Abstract
- In 1980, the World Health Assembly announced that smallpox had been successfully eradicated as a disease of humans. The disease clinically and immunologically most similar to smallpox is monkeypox, a zoonosis endemic to moist forested regions in West and Central Africa. Smallpox vaccine provided protection against both infections. Monkeypox virus is a less efficient human pathogen than the agent of smallpox, but absent smallpox and the population-wide immunity engendered during eradication efforts, could monkeypox now gain a foothold in human communities? We discuss possible ecologic and epidemiologic limitations that could impede monkeypox''s emergence as a significant pathogen of humans, and evaluate whether genetic constrains are sufficient to diminish monkeypox virus’ capacity for enhanced specificity as a parasite of humans. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 18796257
- Volume :
- 2
- Issue :
- 3
- Database :
- Supplemental Index
- Journal :
- Current Opinion in Virology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 76619493
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coviro.2012.02.004