Susceptible monkeypox population and symptoms

According to reports, monkeypox virus (MPXV) is one of the four orthopoxvirus genera that are pathogenic to humans, the other three being smallpox virus, vaccinia virus. 

Monkeypox viruses are divided into two subclades, the West African clade and the Congo Basin clade. The virus sequencing results of some cases in non-endemic countries this time are West African branches.

Monkeypox virus is resistant to drying and low temperatures, and can survive for several months on soil, crusts, and clothing. Sensitive to heat, it can be inactivated by heating to 56°C for 30 minutes or 60°C for 

10 minutes. It can be inactivated by ultraviolet rays and general disinfectants, and is sensitive to sodium hypochlorite, chloroxylenol, glutaraldehyde, formaldehyde and paraformaldehyde. It is worth noting that the 

population is generally susceptible. There is a certain degree of cross-protection against monkeypox virus in people who have been vaccinated against smallpox in the past.

The "Monkeypox Diagnosis and Treatment Guidelines (2022 Edition)" organized by the National Health Commission and the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine pointed out that the incubation 

period of monkeypox virus is 5-21 days, mostly 6-13 days. In the early stage of the disease, chills and fever occur, and the body temperature is mostly above 38.5 °C, which may be accompanied by symptoms 

such as headache, drowsiness, fatigue, back pain and myalgia. Most patients present with swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, and groin. A rash appears 1-3 days after onset.

It is reported that the rash first appeared on the face and gradually spread to the extremities and other parts. The rash was mostly centrifugally distributed. The rash on the face and extremities was more common 

than the trunk. The rash could appear on the palms and soles of the feet, and the number 

of rashes ranged from several to thousands. It can also involve the oral mucosa, digestive tract, genitals, conjunctiva and cornea. After several stages of changes from macules, papules, herpes, pustules to scabs, 

herpes and pustules are mostly spherical, about 0.5-1 cm in diameter, hard in texture, and may be accompanied by obvious itching and pain. It takes about 2-4 weeks from the onset to the scab shedding. Erythema 

or hyperpigmentation, or even scarring, may remain after the scab falls off, and the scarring may last for several years. Complications may occur in some patients, including secondary 

bacterial infection at the site of skin lesions, bronchopneumonia, encephalitis, corneal infection, and sepsis.

The Guidelines emphasize that monkeypox is a self-limiting disease with a good prognosis in most cases. Severe cases are common in young children and immunocompromised people, and prognosis is related to 

the viral branch of infection, the degree of virus exposure, previous health status, and the severity of complications.