A new, rapidly spreading strain of the mpox virus along the eastern border of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has health officials deeply concerned.
This virus, known for causing widespread lesions and severe illness, can be fatal. While the current outbreak is primarily driven by sexual transmission, there is evidence that the virus can also spread through close skin-to-skin contact.
Global health experts warn that this new variant poses a significant risk of cross-border and international transmission, with one expert calling it the “most dangerous strain yet.”
The 2022 worldwide mpox epidemic was contained through vaccination, but in the DRC, access to vaccines and treatments remains limited. Local health officials caution that the virus could easily cross borders due to inadequate controls.
“The disease can spread through airports. People with lesions can cross borders unchecked,” said Leandre Murhula Masirika from South Kivu’s health department, one of the worst-affected areas. “I’m very afraid it’s going to cause more damage.”
Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, has been on the rise in the DRC for decades. WHO data reveals nearly 8,000 cases this year, with 384 deaths, almost half of them children under 15.
An outbreak in South Kivu province, near the borders with Rwanda, Burundi, and Uganda, is particularly alarming. Recent lab tests have identified the new strain, which has mutations aiding its human-to-human transmission.
In Kamituga, a mining town where the strain is believed to have originated among sex workers in September 2023, cases are increasing. Infections have spread to schoolchildren, healthcare workers, and entire households. The new strain has also been detected in several border cities, including Goma, near Rwanda.
WHO warns of the renewed risk of cross-border and international spread, potentially leading to increased severe illness. Scientists report that the new strain appears to spread more easily and cause more severe disease and higher mortality, particularly among children and adults. There are also concerns about asymptomatic spread.
“The current case figures are just the tip of the iceberg,” said Prof. Trudie Lang from the University of Oxford. “It’s definitely the most dangerous strain yet. We don’t know how many non-severe cases are hidden.”
