Neurological complications in Monkeypox: a challenge that demands attention

Abstract

Monkeypox (MPX) has become a global health emergency, as declared by the World Health Organization (WHO). Primary symptoms include fever, headache, and rashes. There has been considerable concern about primary cutaneous symptoms and lesions, but other rare manifestations have been avoided. Neurological manifestations like headaches, malaise, myalgia, anorexia, and altered consciousness have also been reported. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recently reported 2 cases of encephalomyelitis, which has caught the attention of the world’s health community. There is not enough evidence to explain the transmission of MPX to the central nervous system in humans. Previous studies on monkeypox-infected animals have reported probable transmission routes. Neuropsychiatric effects of MPX have also not been investigated. In this letter, we have highlighted various neurological aspects of MPX. This letter stresses the need to understand the biological mechanisms underlying these complications, so better measures can be taken to deal with them.