Janice R. Andrews
A more deadly type of mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is quickly spreading throughout the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are warning people about it. The number of U.S. instances of this epidemic has significantly decreased from its peak in August 2022, but the CDC has still declared it a “global threat” and is advising citizens to exercise caution. Despite the fact that no instances of this more deadly strain have been found in the United States to yet, the CDC is stepping up its monitoring efforts and encouraging those who may be at risk to get vaccinated and take the appropriate safety measures.
Mpox: What is it?
The monkeypox virus is the infectious agent that causes mpox, a disease that usually manifests as a rash along with flu-like symptoms like as fever, chills, headache, and exhaustion. Even though it can be lethal, people with weakened immune systems are more at danger.
Mpox started to spread in the United States in the spring of 2022, mostly affecting males who identify as homosexual, bisexual, or who have sex with men. Prof. Dr. Boghuma Titanji of Emory University School of Medicine notes that “prolonged intimate contact with someone who has active lesions” is how the disease is spread. These red, occasionally painful sores are lesions that are a component of the mpox rash. Despite the way it spreads, mpox is not considered an STD and can spread even in the absence of sexual contact.
Present Circumstances
The more deadly mpox virus strain, referred to as clade I, has caused a record-breaking rise in cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, between January 1, 2023, and April 14, 2024, there were around 20,000 probable instances of mpox recorded. Of them, almost 1,000 people died, with children accounting for over two-thirds of the fatalities. Compared to clade II, which affected the United States in 2022 and killed up to 10% of individuals infected, clade I had a far greater death rate—3.6% or less—than clade II.
At the moment, the DRC and Cameroon are among the Central African nations most affected by the deadlier clade. Between December 1, 2023, and April 14, 2024, the CDC analyzed 343 samples from cases of mpox in the United States; none of these samples were found to be clade I. The CDC is worried about the possible worldwide spread of clade I, though, seeing how swiftly clade II escalated from a localized problem to a global one in 2022, infecting over 32,000 Americans across 110 nations. Complicating efforts to identify clade I is the fact that most mpox testing conducted in the United States do not distinguish between the two clades.
Risk Assessment in the U.S.
Monitoring visitors from the DRC who may be harboring mpox and increasing awareness among individuals who are at high risk of infection are the main goals of the CDC. The United States continues to record an average of 200 cases each month, despite the notable drop in instances. Remarkably, less than 25% of those who are at risk have received all recommended immunizations against mpox, making the majority susceptible to infection.
The greatest danger persists for males who have intercourse with other men. The virus mostly propagated inside integrated social and sexual networks during the 2022 peak. Dr. Titanji does stress that anyone who is exposed to the virus can acquire mpox. Heterosexual proliferation and transmission among kids living in close quarters has proven notable in the DRC.
Lowering the Risk of Infection
The CDC advises eligible people—especially homosexual and bisexual men—to finish the mpox immunization series in order to reduce their risk of infection. This is especially important for those who have HIV or other immune-compromising diseases since mpox may be quite dangerous for these people.
The danger of mpox transmission is enhanced during the summer because of the rise in social activities and travel. The virus can also spread during Pride Month events, which feature a lot of festivals and get-togethers. Dr. Titanji counsels people to be on the lookout for symptoms, including as lesions and flu-like symptoms, and to think about getting tested for mpox before having close contact with other people. Another way to lower the chance of coming into touch with lesions is to use condoms.
Precautions do not, however, imply giving up on summertime pursuits or close connections. Dr. Titanji advises “utilizing the tools that we have in the public health space,” which will reduce the danger of mpox exposure while still enabling individuals to enjoy their summer and have close relationships.
The alert from the CDC emphasizes how crucial it is to be vigilant and take preventative action in order to stop the more deadly mpox strain from spreading. Even while things are now under control in the United States, the possibility of a global spread emphasizes the importance of coordination and readiness on a worldwide scale. Individuals may safeguard themselves and contribute to controlling the spread of this dangerous infectious illness by being informed and adopting the necessary safety measures.
