Advancing Antiviral Therapeutic Strategies: Addressing the Global Health Challenge of the Monkeypox Outbreak

As of mid-2024, researchers had identified approximately 85,000 instances of the monkeypox virus (MPXV), posing a serious hazard to public health. This letter offers a thorough analysis of the available antiviral treatments, emphasizing tecovirimat as the main course of action. Disparities in access continue despite its shown efficacy, which raises death rates in endemic areas, such as sub-Saharan Africa. The use of two further potential therapies, brincidofovir and cidofovir, has been limited due to toxicity concerns. The letter also calls for increased clinical research, equitable antiviral medication distribution, and combination therapy studies to address rising drug resistance.