CDC Issues Alert on New Mpox Strain

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued an alert regarding a severe strain of mpox, known as Clade I, that is spreading in Africa, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has reported over 14,000 cases and 511 deaths. The World Health Organization (WHO) is considering declaring this outbreak a public health emergency of international concern due to its rising incidence and severity, as Clade I has a fatality rate of approximately 10%. This new strain differs from the one that circulated globally in 2022, which primarily affected men who have sex with men and had a much lower fatality rate. The CDC recommends that U.S. clinicians maintain heightened vigilance for mpox in individuals who have traveled recently to affected areas. Symptoms of mpox include fever, painful rashes, and swollen lymph nodes, and it spreads through close contact. Health officials are particularly concerned about the impact of Clade I on children, as most cases reported in endemic provinces involve individuals under 15 years old.