An increase of human monkeypox have been noted in recent years from Nigeria but also other locations in the Region. Monkeypox infections in humans are noted in the endemic countries albeit at a relatively low level. It is believed that rodents, most likely certain species of squirrels found in the deep forested areas of the endemic countries, may be the natural host of the virus. This distribution of monkeypox virus is attributed to the fact that it is naturally harboured by animals that are found in this part of Africa. Monkeypox is endemic (or naturally occurring) in countries from central and western Africa. Monkeypox was first discovered in 1958 in Denmark when two outbreaks of a pox-like disease occurred in colonies of monkeys kept for research, hence the name ‘monkeypox.’ The first human case of monkeypox was recorded in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of Congo. These viruses are not highly transmissible from person-to-person. they are zoonotic viruses) when there is sufficient exposure. These viruses are harbored by different animal species and may spillover to the human population (i.e. In addition human disease can be caused by infection with monkeypox, orf, cowpox and Tanapoxviruses. The former was eradicated by 1980 by mass-vaccination programs. Poxviruses that may cause human disease include the smallpox (or variola) virus and molluscum contagiosum virus. There are currently more than 80 poxviruses known to science and these poxviruses have been isolated from different species of birds, insects, reptiles, marsupials and mammals. Monkeypox is caused by infection with monkeypox virus, a member of the genus Orthopoxvirus in the family Poxviridae.
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