Neuropsychiatric Manifestations of Mpox (monkeypox) Virus Amidst a Global Outbreak

Mpox (formerly monkeypox) is a zoonotic virus in the Poxviridae family and Orthopoxvirus genus that has recently been implicated in outbreaks worldwide. The after smallpox was globally eradicated. The smallpox vaccine Orthopoxvirus genus contains other viruses including the variola virus and vaccinia virus that cause diseases such as smallpox, cowpox, horsepox, and camelpox.2 The World Health Organization3 recently announced that they will begin using the new preferred term mpox to reduce stigma associated with the term monkeypox. Transmission of mpox is through contact with infected body fluids, respiratory droplets, or skin directly or indirectly through fomites.1 Many cases have been identified in men who have sex with men.4 Mpox human infection can be diagnostically confirmed via viral culture or polymerase chain reaction for mpox DNA. As noted with other viral illnesses, there is currently no known specific intervention proven to treat mpox infection in addition to supportive management. In this report, we discuss neuropsychiatric manifestations of mpox infection that providers may encounter in the setting of the worldwide mpox virus outbreak.