Korean J healthc assoc Infect Control Prev.  2023 Jun;28(1):10-21. 10.14192/kjicp.2023.28.1.10.

Current Status and Infection Control Strategy for Mpox

• Choi Y
• Kim ES

• KMID: 2543130
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.14192/kjicp.2023.28.1.10

Abstract

Monkeypox virus infection (Mpox), which was known as an endemic disease in the western and central regions of Africa, has been on a global decline after an outbreak in May 2022. This has recently shown an increasing trend in the Western Pacific region and in the Republic of Korea. Mpox is generally transmitted via close, direct, personal contact, including sexual contact. However, in addition to certain groups, such as men who have sex with men, it can also be transmitted by intimate contact with infected patients or infected animals or indirect contact through contaminants, such as bedding and clothing. Transmission via respiratory droplets is possible, but airborne transmission has yet to be confirmed. In most cases, the disease has a mild clinical course and improves with symptomatic treatment. In the case of children or immunocompromised patients, it can progress to severe disease. The fatality rate is known to be about 3-6%, mostly among immunocompromised patients;continuous monitoring and management of the spread of infection is necessary. Currently, with the increasing trend of mpox in Korea, infection control has become more important along with treating patients who contracted mpox. Therefore, in this review, we briefly assessed the epidemiology, clinical symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of mpox and focused on infection control and prevention of transmission.

Keyword

Monkeypox virus; Healthcare workers; Transmission; Infection control

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Trends of mpox cases. (A) Global (new confirmed). (B) In the Western Pacific region (new confirmed). (C) In Republic of Korea (new comfirmed). (D) In Republic of Korea (cumulated). Abbreviation: PHEIC, Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

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