According to recent statistics, the WHO (World Health Organization) has conducted an assessment of mpox cases in Africa, which showed that, as of 24 August 2025, a total of 51,822 laboratory-confirmed cases, including 211 deaths, have been reported in the past twelve months.

However, the mpox virus is no longer confined to Africa. It is becoming a worldwide concern. A worldwide study conducted by WHO shows that as of 24 August 2025, 29 countries have reported 42,848 confirmed cases, including 160 deaths.

But the harsh truth is that there is no proven treatment for this condition to date. Scientists have employed various methods in their research work, including Electron Microscopy (EM), the PCR amplification technique, and Genome sequencing. Among them, the PCR amplification technique is highly effective.

Go through this post to know why the PCR technique is doing great for the mpox virus:

What Is A Monkeypox Virus?

Monkeypox virus is a rare viral disease that resembles smallpox. The virus was first identified in 1958 at a laboratory in Denmark, during research conducted on a monkey that had been infected. It was subsequently named ‘Monkeypox’

Researchers found that this virus belongs to the ‘Poxviridae’ family of viruses. 

In 1970, the first human case was found in the Democratic Republic of Congo. However, it was earlier found in rodents (such as rabbits, squirrels, and mice) or primates (such as lemurs, monkeys, and apes). 

How Monkeypox Virus Spread?

Monkeypox virus is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can spread in both humans and animals. It  is of two types:

• Clade I mpox
• Clade II mpox

Both Clade I & II have some similarities and dissimilarities, let's find out:

Apart from these differences, both Clade I and II spread through:

• FROM ANIMALS TO HUMAN:

It occurs when a human comes into contact with a dead or infected animal that has the mpox virus.

• FROM HUMAN TO HUMAN:

It occurs when a person comes into contact with an infected person. The transfer of the virus happens in many ways: 

• Sharing contaminated items, such as clothing, utensils, bed sheets, or other personal belongings.
• Coming into close proximity to an infected person.
• Through respiratory droplets of an infected human.

What Are The Symptoms?

When a person is infected with the mpox virus, they typically exhibit symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, headaches, chills, rashes, exhaustion, sore throat, runny nose, anorectal pain, and swollen lymph nodes.

What Tests Are Scientists Performing To Determine The Treatment?

For the monkeypox virus, scientists typically perform the PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) Technique.

Now, the question is: what is a PCR technique?

The PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) is a clinical and laboratory technique that helps scientists make multiple copies of DNA. This technique was developed by Kary Mullis in 1983 and is done using a PCR amplification kit.

The PCR amplification kit contains various chemicals, reagents, and tools that enable scientists to perform PCR. It includes: 

• DNA Templates: These are raw materials that contain DNA, such as blood samples, saliva, or nasal swabs.
• Primer: A small DNA specimen for the amplification process
• Nucleotides: A, T, G, C (these are DNA sequence that helps make new DNA)
• DNA Polymerase: Usually Taq polymerase
• Buffer and Salts: For maintaining optimal temperature

How Does A PCR Amplification Kit Work?

A PCR amplification technique involves three processes: 

• Denaturation:

Firstly, the DNA is heated to a temperature of 94-98°C to break the DNA into single strands (a crucial step for the DNA Polymerase process).

• Annealing:

Then, the temperature is lowered to 3°C to 5°C, allowing the primer to bind to the DNA template.

• Extension:

Lastly, the DNA polymerase is added to nucleotides, creating multiple copies of the original DNA strand.

This cycle is repeated 30-40 times to make billions of copies.

Applications Of The PCR Kit

• Diagnosis Purpose:

The PCR amplification process helps scientists understand the DNA sequence, including mutations. Scientists test different DNA samples to understand the behavior of the mpox virus in various infected species to identify the cause. 

• Vaccines And Medicines Development: 

A PCR technique is not a way that can be used to make medicines. However, scientists utilize the results in conjunction with other research to gain a deeper understanding of the virus and develop new treatment ideas. 

• Controlling The Disease Spread:

PCR helps strengthen their research and even aids in identifying the root cause of the infection. It eventually helps in reducing the spread of infection further.

Final Thought

Although the spread of monkeypox is rapid, but there is no need to worry. Scientists are working on developing a treatment for this disease using the PCR amplification kit.