A NEW deadlier mpox strain is spreading in Africa and poses a "global threat", health officials have warned.
A surge in cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) “raises concerns” that the virus could jump to other countries.
The clade I strain detected in the DRC causes more severe illness and deaths than the clade II virus that triggered a global outbreak in 2022.
Since 2023, the DRC has recorded an “unprecedented number” of suspected Clade I virus cases, according to a new report by the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
It found that there were 19,919 cases of clade I mpox reported between January 1, 2023, and April 14, 2024, along with 975 deaths.
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CDC officials branded it DRC's "largest surge of mpox cases ever recorded".
The clade 1 strain kills up to 10 per cent of all people who become infected, compared to just three per cent for clade II.
Health experts have since urged those most vulnerable to mpox to get vaccinated before the virus potentially returns.
"Two doses of the mpox vaccine is safe and protects from severe illness," Dr Jono Mermin, from the CDC, wrote on X, formally Twitter.
The CDC previously warned of cases of the disease in surrounding Central African countries.
There are currently no reported cases of the strain outside of Africa.
The report also comes after officials found a mutant strain of clade 1 mpox with "pandemic potential" in the small town of Kamituga, in Congo.
The new bug—called clade 1b—has evolved to be better at spreading and evading tests than its predecessor.
Experts have called for the rollout of vaccines, drugs, heightened surveillance and for contact tracing measures to be deployed in the area.
Cases among children and adults have been linked to interactions with infected animals or close, sustained contact with infected people.
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This is evidence suggesting Clade I is now mostly being spread via sex.
Mpox, once known as monkeypox, is a viral infection that spreads through close contact, causing flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions.
Clade II, a milder version of mpox sparked a global epidemic in 2022, when it spread to more than 100 countries - including the UK.
It predominantly affected gay and bisexual men and mostly spread via sexual contact.
Who is offered the mpox vaccine?
The vaccine is recommended for people whose sexual networks mean they are more likely to come into contact with mpox.
This includes men who have sex with men, some trans and non-binary people who have sex with men and healthcare workers in high-risk settings.
How many doses will be offered?
For those at risk of mpox exposure, a full course of two doses of vaccine given at least 28 days apart is recommended.
Where can I get the vaccine?
If you’re eligible, some specialist sexual health clinics are offering the MVA vaccine.
You can find your nearest sexual health service here.
