CDC Warns of Dangerous Mpox Strain Spreading in Congo

No cases of the severe strain have been reported in the U.S., but recent mpox cases in Rhode Island and Nashville prompt increased vigilance.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a warning about a dangerous strain of the mpox virus, known as clade 1, spreading in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
This strain, which has a 10% fatality rate, is spreading through sexual contact and is more severe than the clade 2 strain that was associated with the 2022-23 global outbreak.
No cases of clade 1 mpox have been reported in the United States, but there have been recent reports of mpox cases in Rhode Island and Nashville, Tennessee.
The CDC is urging doctors and health departments to be on the lookout for this strain and to consider mpox when evaluating the cause of rashes.
The mpox vaccine, JYNNEOS, is recommended for people at risk, but vaccination coverage in the US is low with only 1 in 4 people who are eligible having received both doses.