In recent months, TikTok videos, posts on X.com and messages forwarded on WhatsApp have suggested that monkeypox, also known as Mpox, has the potential to trigger another lockdown as seen during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. With the surge in attention, several claims have circulated regarding how contagious the virus is, whether mass vaccination or lockdowns are necessary, and the overall global preparedness to handle the outbreak. To address these concerns, we examined the evidence and consulted Associate Professor Dr. Vinod Balasubramaniam, a Molecular Virologist and Leader in Infection and Immunity Research at the Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine & Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia to determine the validity of these claims. 

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Key facts About Monkeypox

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1. Monkeypox is not a new virus.

Monkeypox was first identified in 1958 when outbreaks occurred in research monkeys. The first human case was recorded in 1070 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Before 2022, monkeypox cases outside of Africa were rare and typically associated with travel or imported animals.‍

2. Monkeypox is not as transmissible as COVID-19.

According to Dr. Vinod Balasubramaniam, monkeypox is less transmissible than COVID-19 and does not pose the same level of pandemic threat. Monkeypox primarily spreads through close contact with infected individuals or contaminated materials, unlike COVID-19, which spreads efficiently through airborne transmission. The basic reproduction number (R0) for monkeypox is estimated to be between 1.1 and 2.4, significantly lower than SARS-CoV-2's R0 of 2-3 for the original strain and up to 5-7 for later variants.

3. Monkeypox is not a new pandemic threat.

Although monkeypox has seen a recent increase in cases globally, particularly in regions previously unexposed, it does not meet the criteria for a pandemic declaration. Effective public health measures, such as contact tracing and isolation, can help manage its spread. The current outbreak is primarily caused by the less severe West African clade of the virus

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Transmission and Prevention

Monkeypox spreads through direct contact with infectious lesions, bodily fluids, or contaminated items. While respiratory transmission is possible, it generally requires prolonged face-to-face contact and large respiratory droplets, unlike the efficient airborne spread of COVID-19.

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Existing smallpox vaccines offer some protection against monkeypox. The JYNNEOS vaccine, specifically designed for monkeypox, has shown 85% efficacy in preventing infection. Targeted vaccination strategies, such as ring vaccination and post-exposure prophylaxis, are considered more effective and cost-efficient than mass vaccination.

All in all, the claim that monkeypox has the potential to replace COVID-19 as the next global pandemic is misleading and inaccurate. In summary, while the recent global monkeypox outbreak is a public health concern that requires monitoring and response, monkeypox is not a new virus and is significantly less transmissible than COVID-19. While the recent outbreak is concerning and requires appropriate public health responses, it does not pose the same level of pandemic threat as COVID-19. Understanding these facts can help prevent misinformation and unnecessary panic.