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Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/tylerr...cdc-warns-of-a-global-threat/?sh=220703fb3f5d
More Lethal Mpox Strain Surges In Congo—Here’s Why The CDC Warns Of A ‘Global Threat’
Ty Roush
Forbes Staff
May 16, 2024,04:19pm EDT
Topline
More people have become infected with a deadlier strain of the mpox virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo over the last year, posing a “global threat” if the virus strain leaves the African country and spreads worldwide, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday.
Key Facts
An increase in cases involving the more lethal strain of the mpox virus—broken into two genetically distinct groups called clades—“raises concerns” the virus could spread to other countries, according to the CDC, which called for “coordinated, urgent global action” to contain the virus.
The Clade I virus detected in the DRC causes more severe illness and results in more deaths than the Clade II virus that caused a global outbreak in 2022: Some 1.4% to 10% or more of Clade I cases end in death, compared to just 0.1% to 3.6% for Clade II, which killed nearly 60 Americans, the CDC said.
Since 2023, the DRC has reported an “unprecedented number” of suspected Clade I virus cases, according to the CDC, which previously warned of cases in surrounding Central African countries.
There are no reported cases of the strain outside of Africa.
Cases among children and adults have been linked to interactions with infected animals or close, sustained contact with infected people, with evidence suggesting Clade I is now primarily being spread among adults through sexual contact.
The global outbreak in 2022 primarily affected gay and bisexual men and other men who have sex with men, but in two DRC-based outbreaks of Clade I, the virus was reported among men who have sex with men and both male and female sex workers, the CDC said.
While most suspected cases of Clade I in the DRC (67%) are in children under 15, children in the U.S. are less likely to become infected and are less vulnerable to the virus because they live in households with fewer occupants and have access to cleaning and hygiene resources, according to the CDC.
Big Number
19,919. That’s how many suspected cases of the Clade I virus have been reported in the DRC between Jan. 1, 2023, and April 14, 2024, according to the CDC. Of these, 975 (4.9%) resulted in death...
More Lethal Mpox Strain Surges In Congo—Here’s Why The CDC Warns Of A ‘Global Threat’
Ty Roush
Forbes Staff
May 16, 2024,04:19pm EDT
Topline
More people have become infected with a deadlier strain of the mpox virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo over the last year, posing a “global threat” if the virus strain leaves the African country and spreads worldwide, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday.
Key Facts
An increase in cases involving the more lethal strain of the mpox virus—broken into two genetically distinct groups called clades—“raises concerns” the virus could spread to other countries, according to the CDC, which called for “coordinated, urgent global action” to contain the virus.
The Clade I virus detected in the DRC causes more severe illness and results in more deaths than the Clade II virus that caused a global outbreak in 2022: Some 1.4% to 10% or more of Clade I cases end in death, compared to just 0.1% to 3.6% for Clade II, which killed nearly 60 Americans, the CDC said.
Since 2023, the DRC has reported an “unprecedented number” of suspected Clade I virus cases, according to the CDC, which previously warned of cases in surrounding Central African countries.
There are no reported cases of the strain outside of Africa.
Cases among children and adults have been linked to interactions with infected animals or close, sustained contact with infected people, with evidence suggesting Clade I is now primarily being spread among adults through sexual contact.
The global outbreak in 2022 primarily affected gay and bisexual men and other men who have sex with men, but in two DRC-based outbreaks of Clade I, the virus was reported among men who have sex with men and both male and female sex workers, the CDC said.
While most suspected cases of Clade I in the DRC (67%) are in children under 15, children in the U.S. are less likely to become infected and are less vulnerable to the virus because they live in households with fewer occupants and have access to cleaning and hygiene resources, according to the CDC.
Big Number
19,919. That’s how many suspected cases of the Clade I virus have been reported in the DRC between Jan. 1, 2023, and April 14, 2024, according to the CDC. Of these, 975 (4.9%) resulted in death...