New Mpox Strain Raises Global Concerns

There’s a new wave of concern about a type of mpox, previously known as monkeypox, that’s spreading across Africa. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has officially called it an international emergency.

This latest outbreak is particularly worrisome as it centers in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where cases have surged and now popped up in nearby countries like Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda. WHO’s Director General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, described the situation as alarming, especially with a new strain identified, known as clade 1.

Clade 1 is reportedly spreading mainly through sexual networks, with one confirmed case already making its way to Sweden. In addition, the Pakistan Ministry of National Health Services announced its first confirmed case, tied to an individual coming from Saudi Arabia.

In an effort to take control of the situation, the WHO is working closely with various nations to ramp up vaccine access and containment strategies. They estimate that around $15 million will be necessary for a proper response.

While the US government stated that the risk to the general public remains low, experts are keeping a close eye on developments. There have been no cases of clade 1 reported in the US, but the country has documented 1,399 cases of other mpox strains this year, almost as many as the DRC.

Dr. Boghuma Titanji, an infectious disease specialist from Emory University, pointed out that it was only a matter of time before the outbreak reached beyond Africa. In Europe, Dr. Pamela Rendi-Wagner has raised the risk level of clade 1 for the general population to low, especially considering the close ties between Europe and Africa.

Experts are also noting that clade 1 seems to be more severe and transmissible compared to the previous clades. The concern is higher for certain groups, particularly immunocompromised individuals.

In the DRC, children have been disproportionately affected, making up around two-thirds of the suspected cases and three-quarters of the deaths. The situation is dire, especially given the limited access to vaccines and healthcare resources.

Healthcare providers in the US are on the lookout for any signs of clade 1. The CDC has updated its guidance to encourage testing for mpox especially focusing on identifying the specific clade type.