Monkeypox is a viral disease that has recently raised significant global public health concerns. It affects not only countries in West and Central Africa, but also nations in other parts of the world. The disease is transmitted from person to person in close contact through respiratory secretions, skin lesions of infected individuals, or recently contaminated objects. The transmission can also occur through respiratory droplets, which usually requires prolonged face-to-face contact. Thus, health workers and family members or people in close contact with infected individuals are at greater risk of contracting monkeypox.

Given its high accuracy and sensitivity, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has been recommended by WHO as the preferred laboratory test.