As the world still vividly recalls the previous monkeypox (mpox) outbreak that impacted over 120 countries worldwide with more than 99,000 cases in 2022, we are now facing a second wave of infections from the monkeypox virus (MPXV), characterized by an exponential increase in cases. The current 2024 outbreak has already recorded more than 20,000 cases in Africa, marking a dramatic escalation compared to previous outbreaks. The predominance of the newly identified clade Ib variant, first detected in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and now identified across multiple African nations and beyond, underscores its enhanced transmissibility and potential for international spread, evidenced by cases in Sweden and Thailand. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared on August 14, 2024, the current mpox outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), calling for heightened global public health measures. The ongoing pattern of unusual, frequent, and extensive outbreaks of mpox with potential global implications poses significant questions. This review addresses, in the format of 50 questions and answers, the 2024 mpox outbreak, detailing its characteristics, epidemiological data, and impact compared to previous outbreaks. It comprehensively explores critical questions related to MPXV virological characteristics, immunological response, clinical manifestations, epidemiology, diagnostics, and available treatments. The review also documents the significant and evolving challenges posed by the current mpox outbreak, highlighting its scale, spread, and public health response.

中文翻译：

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2024 年猴痘疫情：50 个基本问题和答案


由于世界仍然清楚地记得上一次影响全球 120 多个国家的猴痘 （mpox） 疫情，2022 年病例超过 99,000 例，我们现在正面临第二波猴痘病毒 （MPXV） 感染，其特点是病例呈指数级增长。目前 2024 年的疫情已经在非洲记录了超过 20,000 例病例，与之前的疫情相比，这标志着急剧升级。新发现的 Ib 分支变体首先在刚果民主共和国 （DRC） 发现，现在在多个非洲国家及其他地区被发现，这突显了其增强的传播性和国际传播的可能性，瑞典和泰国的病例证明了这一点。世界卫生组织 （WHO） 于 2024 年 8 月 14 日宣布当前的猴痘疫情为国际关注的突发公共卫生事件 （PHEIC），呼吁加强全球公共卫生措施。具有潜在全球影响的 mpox 异常、频繁和广泛暴发的持续模式提出了重大问题。本综述以 50 个问答的形式讨论了 2024 年 mpox 疫情，详细介绍了其特征、流行病学数据以及与以往疫情相比的影响。它全面探讨了与 MPXV 病毒学特征、免疫反应、临床表现、流行病学、诊断和可用治疗方法相关的关键问题。该审查还记录了当前 mpox 疫情带来的重大和不断变化的挑战，强调了其规模、传播和公共卫生应对措施。