Oral Manifestation Seen in 70 Percent of Mpox Cases

Background: The monkeypox (mpox) virus, initially discovered in 1970, primarily circulated in Central and West Africa until its arrival in Europe, Canada, and the United States in 2022. This highly contagious disease quickly spread, affecting upward of 80,000 people, prompting a Public Health Emergency declaration by the World Health Organization. Originally identified in monkeys, the double-stranded DNA virus of the Orthopox genus can be transmitted via close contact between animals or from animals to humans. Clinical manifestations may include fever, lymphadenopathy, headache, myalgias, and skin rash, with oral manifestations including lesions of the tongue and mucosal regions. Oral lesions have been found in 70% of mpox cases, bringing to light the need to emphasize thorough oral evaluation in the testing process for mpox virus. Objective: To provide a case report that highlights oral manifestations of mpox virus as one of the first presenting clinical manifestations, emphasizing more...