The researchers have raised concerns over a new, more fatal strain of mpox which in Democratic Republic of Congo is causing miscarriages and killing children. This particular strain called clade Ib has the potential to spread to neighboring countries with all nations urged to get ready for its possible spread before it’s too late.
In September 2022, the clade Ib strain was identified among commercial sex workers in Kamituga, a remote mining town in Congo.
Different from previous outbreaks within the country where people typically acquired the virus through contacting infected animals, as reported by AFP this time around there are sexual contacts between heterosexuals. As per tests carried out on it, it was shown that it had mutated from the original one and it is considered by researchers as “undoubtedly the most dangerous strain so far.”
South Kivu province has registered over 1,000 cases due to this new type of mpox alone and on average there are at least 20 new cases every week especially in Kamituga. The rate of mortality is scary with 5% adults and 10% kids who get infected dying.
Moreover, unlike previous outbreaks, this strain has been transmitted through other means apart from sex such as families or people within an institution like schools.
The researcher’s main concern is about several miscarriages caused by this strain along with studies being conducted on its long term impact on fertilization capability.
The extreme cases seen in hospitals are likely just “the tip of the iceberg,” as many patients may have less severe symptoms. According to World Health Organization (WHO), out of all deaths caused by any kind of mpox strains in DR Congo this year; over sixty percent were children accounting for more than three hundred eighty four patients’ death.
Even though clade Ib has not yet been officially reported outside DR Congo, there are suspicions among researchers that some infections might have already reached neighboring states since a number of these infected commercial sex workers originated from such states.
The presence of an international airport in Goma, where the strain was recently declared, heightens the risk of global spread.
It is thus calling for immediate action to curb this epidemic including vaccinating local sex workers although it’s not clear whether current vaccines will work against this new strain.
