Because not all viruses from mpox cases are sequenced, the findings likely underestimate the prevalence of the newly identified drug-resistant variant.
The test the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention uses to identify clade I mpox cases is 'most likely not reliable' for detection of the substrain identified in the study, the authors say.
Another mpox study today showed that dose-sparing vaccine administration of the Jynneos vaccine appeared to have worked.
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Though data reflect ongoing low-level transmission in multiple regions, the WHO said reduced reporting may underestimate illness levels.
Children have accounted for the major portion of cases and deaths in an ongoing mpox outbreak in the DR Congo.
The effectiveness of preventive vaccination was estimated at 68.2%.
From October 1, 2023, through April 30, 2024, the United States has averaged 59 cases of mpox each week, mostly among unvaccinated people.
The country noted an uptick in clade 1 cases in 2023 and 2024, with 19,919 suspected cases reported.
In total, 6.4% of participants had mpox antibodies, including 4% of cis women, 7% of cis men with only cis women partners, and 8% of men who have sex with men.
The serial interval was 8.7 days in 2022 and 14.2 days in previous years.
Of 371 patients hospitalized over an 8-month period in Kamituga health zone, 88% had recently visited bars for professional sexual interactions.
Officials also urged health providers to watch for possible clade 1 cases in people with travel history or epidemiological connections to African outbreak locations.
Ten countries reported case rises in March, with the Republic of Congo reporting the largest rise in Africa.
