Humanitarian Resource Institute

Humanitarian Resource Institute: A U.S. & International Resource on the Scope of Humanitarian Assistance
.

This information resource was developed and is maintained by Stephen M. Apatow, Director of Research and Development (vitae), who is a specialist in strategic planning and project development of initiatives associated with human medicine, veterinary medicine and U.S. and international law. Questions or suggestions regarding the Biodefense Reference Library can be sent to: admin@humanitarian.net

.. Monkeypox: Biodefense and Epidemiological Tracking .
Note: The strain of this orthopoxvirus (ICTVdB Virus Descriptions) is still under analysis. One of the most significant outbreaks, as described by the Netcare report, Monkeypox in Congo ( DRC ), 1 October 2002:

Once introduced, human-to-human transmission occurs.
The outbreak constituted an epidemic in the region (mortality rate = 37.5 per 100) and therefore worthy of serious intervention.
The large number of cases may well reflect the increase in the number of susceptible people in DRC as a result of almost non-existent smallpox vaccination in the region.
The monkeypox virus is a close relative of the smallpox virus and can spread as readily.

Monkeypox: Related Articles/Research: NCBI, PubMed, Indexed for Medline.

IN THE NEWS:

Centers for Disease Control (Monkeypox: Updates/Advisories)

ProMED: Monkeypox - CDC Reccomendations for Veterinarians (12 June 2003)
CDC Recommends Smallpox Vaccination to Protect Persons Exposed to Monkeypox (CDC Media Relations, 11 June 2003)
HHS Bans Rodent Imports from Africa; Prohibits Domestic Commerce in Rodents and Prairie Dogs (6/11/03 2:15:04 PM)
Interim Case Definition for Human Case of Monkeypox: (Jun 11, 2003, 8:00 AM ET)
Preliminary Report: Multistate Outbreak of Monkeypox in Persons Exposed to Pet Prairie Dogs (Jun 9, 2003, 12:00 AM ET)
Interim Infection Control and Exposure Management Guidance in the Health-Care and Community Setting for Patients with Possible Monkeypox Virus Infection: (Jun 9, 2003, 2:00 AM ET)
Monkeypox Infections In Animals: Interim Guidance for Veterinarians and Pet Owners: (Jun 9, 2003, 4:00 AM ET)
Public Health Investigation Uncovers First Outbreak of Human Monkeypox Infection in Western Hemisphere: CDC Media Relations, 7 June 2003

Legal Discussion

Public Health Legal Response and Preparedness: Centers for Disease Control
Homeland Security in the United States: Humanitarian Resource Institute Legal Resource Center

MONKEY POX:

Viral Diseases: Zoonotic Disease Online Review, Humanitarian Resource Institute
Disease Overview: Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, University of California, Santa Barbara.

Agent:

Orthopoxvirus Disease in humans is indistinguishable from smallpox, (Variola) i.e., serologic & clinical syndrome.

Reservoir and Incidence:

Animals: Nine reported outbreaks in captive NHP's, primarily rhesus and cynomolgus. Has also been reported in languors, baboons, chimpanzees, orangutans, marmosets, gorillas, gibbons, and squirrel monkeys. The virus has been isolated from a wild squirrel. Man: The first human case of Monkey Pox was reported in 1970. Between 1970 and 1986, over 400 cases had been reported from tropical rain forested areas of West and Central Africa.

Transmission:

Transmission can be via direct contact, aerosol, ingestion, or parenteral administration. Person to person transmission can occur.

Disease in Nonhuman Primates:

Usually exhibit a high morbidity and low mortality. Clinical signs may be inapparent or an animal may exhibit fever, lymphadenopathy, and cutaneous eruptions of the extremities, trunk, lips, or face. Cynos seem to be most severely affected. Death is uncommon except in infant monkeys.

Disease in Man:

Signs in man include fever, sore throat, headache, and a vesiculopustular rash of peripheral distribution which clears up in 5 to 25 days. Severe complications include bronchopneumonia, vomiting, and diarrhea. Case fatality rate 10-15%. Although the disease is not common in man it is important from the standpoint of differentiating it from smallpox.

Diagnosis:

Based on progression of lesions, histopathology and virus isolation. On histological examination epidermal cells contain eosinophilic cytoplasmic and intranuclear inclusions. ELISA

Treatment:

Symptomatic.

Prevention/Control:

Sanitation, isolation. Vaccination with vaccinia virus is protective in both man and nonhuman primates.

GENOMIC:

Poxvirus Bioinformatics Resource Center. The Center provides a relational database that supports data storage of poxvirus genomic sequences, and annotation and analysis of poxvirus genes; web-based data mining and sequence analysis tools; software for analysis of complete genomes; a poxvirus literature resource; a repository of poxvirus species and strains (at ATCC); and a discussion forum. The Poxvirus Bioinformatics Resource Center was created by a consortium of laboratories. An Advisory Committee has been established to help guide the development of this Center. Funding for this project is being provided by the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.
Bioinformatics: Pathobiological Diagnostics: Humanitarian Resource Institute.

BIODEFENSE

Bioweapons, Bioterrorism and Biodiversity: potential impacts of biological weapons attacks on agricultural and biological diversity. J.P. Dudley, M.H. Woodford, rev.sci.tech.Off.int.Epiz.,2002,21(1), 125-137. pdf file
Monkeypox – Potential as Bioweapon: US Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine. On 9 June, 2002 the United Press International reported that scientists and former UN weapons inspectors told them that the Russians worked with monkeypox in their bioweapons program and it is possible that terrorists could use it in a biological attack.
Weapons of Mass Destruction, Nonproliferation and International Security: Stephen M. Apatow, Humanitarian Resource Institute Legal Resource Center, October 2002.

EDUCATION

Zoonotic Disease Online Review: This resource was developed by Humanitarian Resource Institute for medical and veterinary Professionals to assist in medical surveillance and response activities associated with zoonotic and epizootic diseases.
Foreign Animal Disease Online Course: This resource was developed by Humanitarian Resource Institute to enhance training for the recognition of Foreign Animal Disease's for field veterinarians.

RELATED INFORMATION:

Smallpox Resource List, Center for Infectious Disease Research & Policy, Academic Health Center -- University of Minnesota

Back to the Foreign Animal and Zoonotic Disease Center.