The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) just issued a Health Alert about the outbreak of Clade 1 monkeypox virus (MPXV) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Since January 2023, the DRC has reported the largest number of yearly Monkeypox cases on record. The current outbreak is more widespread than any previous DRC outbreaks and is spreading to some neighboring countries. The lethality rate of Clade 1 MPXV ranges from 1.4% to 10%. While CDC rates it as a low risk, with international travel and inherent virus mutations, it could pose a pandemic risk.
No cases have been reported outside central and eastern Africa at this time.
More than 22,000 suspect cases, with more than 1,200 suspected deaths, have been reported in DRC since January 1, 2023, a substantial increase from the past. There is an Mpox vaccine.
