Is Monkeypox the Next Pandemic? A Global Review of Emerging Trends and Challenges

Monkeypox (mpox), a zoonotic orthopoxvirus traditionally confined to Central and West Africa, has emerged as a global public health concern following widespread outbreaks in non-endemic regions since 2022. The unexpected global transmission, alongside evolving viral mutations and waning population immunity due to the cessation of smallpox vaccination, has raised urgent questions regarding the pandemic potential of mpox. This review explores the virological characteristics, epidemiological shifts, transmission dynamics, and clinical presentations of mpox, with a focus on its re-emergence as a globally relevant pathogen. It also evaluates public health responses, vaccination strategies, and the role of social and environmental drivers in the rapid spread of the virus. Drawing on data from recent outbreaks, especially the escalating crisis in Central Africa and the emergence of more virulent clade I variants, this article critically assesses the likelihood of mpox evolving into a sustained pandemic. The review highlights existing challenges such as vaccine inequity, misinformation, surveillance limitations, and global health disparities. Finally, it offers strategic recommendations for preparedness, including One Health approaches, equitable vaccine distribution, and enhanced genomic surveillance. Understanding the complex interplay of factors influencing mpox’s spread is essential to inform global responses and prevent its escalation into the next pandemic.