Human Poxvirus Infections: Epidemiology, Transmission, and Clinical Features of Major Orthopoxvirus Diseases
Published on: 17th June, 2026
Poxviruses are big, double-stranded DNA viruses that can infect a variety of animal hosts, including humans. Other clinically significant poxvirus infections, such as monkeypox (mpox), cowpox, and molluscum contagiosum, continue to present new and re-emerging public health issues even after smallpox was eradicated. The epidemiology, transmission dynamics, clinical manifestations, diagnostic methods, and treatment approaches of the four main human poxvirus infections are all covered in this study’s methodical narrative synthesis.Relevant studies published between 2000 and 2025 were found by a systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar; 34 of them were included in the final analysis. Results show that poxviruses differ significantly in host range, transmission patterns, and disease severity, despite sharing common biological traits including cytoplasmic replication and distinctive cutaneous lesion progression. While mpox has resurfaced worldwide, exhibiting persistent human-to-human transmission during the 2022–2023 outbreak, smallpox is still historically relevant because of its high fatality and successful eradication. Cowpox is still an uncommon zoonotic disease associated with animal reservoirs, while Molluscum contagiosum is still very common, especially in children and immunocompromised people. Antiviral medications like tecovirimat offer treatment options for severe cases, and advances in molecular diagnostics, especially polymerase chain reaction, have improved detection.The impact of dwindling population immunity and growing human-animal interaction is demonstrated by the resurgence and persistence of poxvirus diseases. To reduce future epidemics, more surveillance, better diagnostic capabilities, and integrated One Health policies are crucial.
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