New Mpox mutations in Africa

The risk of Mpox spreading in Africa is increasing, but also globally after recent analyses have revealed that clade Ia has undergone further mutations and could spread more easily among people. The director general of the African Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said he was concerned that the virus is transmitted mainly through contact with animals, but with these mutations, it is not known what could happen. There have been 50000 Mpox cases this year, with 2532 reported last week. Several African states have been affected by the virus, but especially the Democratic Republic of Congo where there were many cases of child deaths. Significant was the discovery of the subvariant clade Ib which has a faster spread capacity both through sexual intercourse and physical contact. Nine countries received 900,000 vaccine doses from Canada, Europe, and the US, which were distributed fairly and effectively. Funding from the US and other partners to reduce virus transmission is still pending. The CDC said it was waiting for the new US government to take office before asking for funding.