The World Health Organization officially declared that a new strain of Mpox, formerly monkeypox, is an international public health emergency, the second time in two years the organization has elevated the status of the viral disease.
The clade I Mpox strain is different from the clade II strain responsible for the 2022 outbreak. Clade I is seemingly more transmissible and results in a more severe illness and higher chance of mortality if not treated.
The latest outbreak is occurring in central and eastern Africa, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has experienced steadily worsening outbreaks since 2023. The clade I strain has since spread to Europe, with Sweden reporting the first clade I case outside of Africa on Aug. 15.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported no cases in the U.S. yet.
