By Ezekiel David
Scientists are closely monitoring a new mpox strain, clade Ib, which is spreading faster than expected from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
This rapid evolution is challenging due to limited resources for tracking the virus, according to experts from Africa, Europe, and the U.S.
Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, became a global concern in 2022, leading to a WHO health emergency. Although that initial declaration ended, the emergence of clade Ib has prompted renewed attention. This strain is a mutation of clade I, endemic in Congo, causing flu-like symptoms and lesions, and can be fatal.
Congo has reported over 18,000 suspected mpox cases and 615 deaths this year. Clade Ib has been confirmed in four African countries and in travellers to Sweden and Thailand. Dr. Dimie Ogoina of Nigeria highlighted the challenge of understanding the outbreak, saying, “We don’t understand our outbreak very well… and I worry about the fact that the virus seems to be mutating and producing new strains.”
The virus, part of the orthopoxvirus family, shows mutations like APOBEC3, indicating faster adaptation in humans, explained Dr. Miguel Paredes from Fred Hutchison Cancer Centre. This complicates the response, as multiple outbreaks occur simultaneously.
Traditionally, mpox spread through contact with infected animals, but now, clade Ib and IIb are considered sexually transmitted diseases, noted Dr Salim Abdool Karim from the Africa CDC. Most clade Ib cases are among adults, initially spreading among female sex workers in South Kivu. The virus also spreads through close contact, affecting children in crowded conditions like displacement camps.
Children, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals face higher risks. Clade I has higher fatality rates (4%-11%) compared to clade II (~1%). While few deaths from clade Ib are reported, data may be inconsistent, warned Ogoina.
Limited resources hinder research and response efforts. African labs struggle to obtain necessary supplies, and conflict in eastern Congo exacerbates the situation. Dr Emmanuel Nakoune emphasised the need for better tracking capabilities, stating, “This is not a luxury.”
(Source: Reuters)