New Mpox Strain Discovered in the Democratic Republic of Congo

A new mpox strain, a mutation of Clade 1a, has been identified in the DRC, raising public health concerns due to its potential for higher transmissibility. While the fatality rate has decreased in current outbreaks, rising cases in multiple African nations highlight the need for enhanced surveillance and vaccination efforts. The WHO has extended its public health emergency declaration in response to the ongoing crisis.

A concerning new mpox strain has been detected in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), identified as a mutation of the older Clade 1a variant. This strain may exhibit enhanced transmissibility compared to previous clades. Dr. Ngashi Ngongo, head of the mpox incident management team at the Africa CDC, emphasized that this strain features the APOBEC3 mutation, which has significantly aided the spread of Clade 1b beyond the DRC.

Historically, Clade 1a was associated with animal-to-human transmission and limited human-to-human spread within central Africa, presenting a variable fatality rate between 1.4 percent and 10 percent. However, Dr. Lorenzo Subissi of the WHO outlined that current mortality rates in Kinshasa, where Clade 1a and Clade 1b circulate, are below one percent, suggesting a reduced risk compared to earlier assessments.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently extended its public health emergency declaration concerning the mpox epidemic due to escalating case numbers and geographical spread, exacerbated by ongoing conflict in eastern DRC and inadequate funding for response efforts. Dr. Ngongo reported that many African nations continue to witness rising mpox cases amidst these challenges, stressing the urgent need for monitoring and intervention.

In Uganda, health facilities are overwhelmed by a recent spike, with 278 new cases reported last week. Local health authorities are implementing home-based treatments due to facility overcrowding. Meanwhile, in the DRC, ongoing violence complicates outbreak management, with numerous health workers reporting losses and fearing increased spread in displaced populations.

Despite declining case numbers in Africa, concerns persist regarding testing accessibility, worsened by conflict and funding shortfalls. Consequently, the DRC recently initiated a large-scale mpox vaccination campaign, administering over 24,800 doses in just four days, targeting high-risk areas and contacts of confirmed cases to mitigate future outbreaks.

The emergence of a new mpox variant in the DRC raises alarms regarding enhanced transmissibility and public health risks. Despite challenges posed by conflict and a historic mortality rate, current observations indicate lower fatality rates than previously anticipated. The WHO’s extension of the public health emergency declaration underscores the urgent need for effective intervention strategies, including robust vaccination efforts to safeguard affected populations.

Original Source: www.telegraph.co.uk