MPOX TRACKER

A new study published in Nature Medicine provides critical insights into the clade 1b mpox outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), revealing a strong link between transmission and sex work. Researchers found that 83% of cases were associated with transactional sex, often occurring in bars, underscoring the urgent need for targeted health education and intervention strategies. The study, conducted at Kamituga Hospital in South Kivu from September 2023 to June 2024, analyzed 670 patients and identified three distinct viral clusters, all clade 1b, but found no direct epidemiological links between bars or health areas.

Among the key findings, the study reported seven deaths, three infections among healthcare workers, and a troubling trend of miscarriages among pregnant women, with eight out of 14 infected mothers losing their pregnancies. Unlike previous outbreaks in the DRC, only 15.5% of cases involved children under 15, suggesting a shift toward adult transmission, particularly through sexual contact. The researchers stress the importance of cross-border collaboration, enhanced contact tracing, and clinical care to curb the virus’s spread.

Meanwhile, the United States has reported its fourth clade 1b mpox case, confirmed in a New York resident who recently traveled to East Africa. This follows cases in California, Georgia, and New Hampshire, all of which were travel-related and unlinked. With the DRC’s outbreak surpassing 50,000 suspected cases and spilling into neighboring countries, public health experts warn that the highly transmissible and virulent clade 1b strain poses a growing threat.

The findings reinforce the need for a coordinated global response, including expanded surveillance, vaccination efforts, and targeted outreach to vulnerable populations, particularly sex workers, to prevent further international spread.