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A new strain of Mpox has been identified in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), raising concerns over its increased transmissibility
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Kinshasha
The global community must take urgent action to prevent the international spread of a newly mutated Mpox variant, health experts have warned. A new strain of Mpox has been identified in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), raising concerns over its increased transmissibility. The variant originates from the clade 1a strain of monkeypox and carries an APOBEC3 mutation, which makes it potentially more infectious than its predecessor, though less deadly. This strain has already been detected in the UK, prompting calls for heightened vigilance.
Health officials have emphasized the need for a robust international response to prevent further outbreaks.
“The high transmissibility of the clade 1a Mpox variant is likely due to mutations the virus has acquired. Exactly how these mutations impact transmission is still unclear, and further research is urgently needed,” said Professor Mike Weekes, a Cambridge expert in Viral Immunology, in an interview with The Independent.
“Controlling this variant, alongside clade 1b Mpox, which remains an ongoing public health emergency, requires a coordinated international response. Increased efforts in testing, vaccination, and public awareness are essential.”
Mpox is a rare viral disease with symptoms similar to but less severe than smallpox. While there is no specific treatment, it can be managed through vaccinations, contact tracing, and by avoiding contact with infected individuals and animals.
In response to the outbreak, a vaccination campaign has been launched in Kinshasa, particularly in hotspot areas like Pakadjuma. The campaign, organized by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), follows weeks of preparation.
“People are really lining up for the vaccination, which is a testament to the high acceptance rate among the communities,” said Dr. Ngashi Ngongo, CDC Incident Manager.
The outbreak comes amid cuts to USAID funding following decisions made during the Trump administration. These funding reductions have coincided with escalating conflict in eastern DRC, further complicating response efforts. “The loss of USAID funding significantly hampers these containment efforts. Previous outbreaks of clade 2b and 1b Mpox, along with COVID-19, have shown us that international spread is likely. The global community must step up now,” Professor Weekes urged.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 2,000 Mpox cases have been recorded in DRC since the start of 2025. However, it remains unclear how many of these cases are attributable to the new variant, as multiple strains continue to circulate.
Mpox was first identified in 1958 in research monkey colonies and is transmitted between both animals and humans. Common symptoms include rashes, fever, sore throat, muscle aches, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes.
In England, eight cases of the clade 1b variant have been reported since October 2024. Unlike clade 1a, which primarily spreads from animals to humans and within households, clade 1b is predominantly transmitted through sexual contact. The 2022 Mpox outbreak in the UK was caused by a different strain—clade 2b.
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