MPOX TRACKER

In response to the current mpox outbreak, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has unveiled its updated research priorities. The NIAID mpox research agenda focuses on four critical objectives:

1. Expanding knowledge about the biology of all mpox virus clades, including transmission mechanisms and immune responses.
2. Evaluating and optimizing dosing regimens of current vaccines to extend supply, while developing novel vaccine concepts.
3. Advancing existing and new treatments, including antivirals and monoclonal antibodies.
4. Supporting strategies for improved virus detection to enhance clinical care and epidemiological surveillance.

The mpox virus, first recorded in humans in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is endemic to central and western Africa. Two distinct clades have been identified:

- Clade I, found in Central Africa, can cause severe illness.
- Clade II, endemic to West Africa, typically results in milder illness and was responsible for the 2022 global outbreak.

Notably, individuals with compromised immune systems, children, and pregnant people are particularly vulnerable to severe mpox, regardless of the virus clade.

NIAID is committed to a collaborative approach in addressing the current mpox outbreak and safeguarding global public health. The institute is working closely with both U.S. and international partners to mitigate the impact of the outbreak. To achieve its research objectives, NIAID plans to leverage its extensive domestic and international research infrastructures.

This comprehensive strategy underscores NIAID's commitment to combating mpox through a multifaceted approach, combining basic research, vaccine development, treatment advancement, and improved diagnostics. By focusing on these key areas and fostering global collaboration, NIAID aims to contribute significantly to the control and eventual eradication of mpox as a public health threat.