New Mpox Strain Detected in China, Four Cases Linked to Traveler from DRC

Mpox Strain Clade Ib Detected in China

Chinese health authorities have detected the new mutated mpox strain clade Ib within the country. This comes as the viral infection continues to spread globally, following the World Health Organization's declaration of a global public health emergency last year.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention in China identified a cluster outbreak of the Ib subclade. The initial infection originated from a foreigner with a travel and residence history in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Subsequently, four additional cases were identified in individuals who had close contact with the foreigner. These patients are experiencing mild symptoms, including skin rash and blisters.

Mpox, also known as monkeypox, spreads through close contact and causes flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions on the body. While typically mild, it can be fatal in rare cases.

In August 2022, the WHO declared mpox a global public health emergency for the second time within two years. This declaration followed an outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) that spread to neighboring countries.

The DRC outbreak began with the spread of an endemic strain known as clade I. However, the clade Ib variant appears to spread more easily through routine close contact, including sexual contact. This variant has spread from DRC to neighboring countries, including Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, prompting the WHO's emergency declaration.

China implemented measures in August 2022 to monitor people and goods entering the country for mpox. The National Health Commission classified mpox as a Category B infectious disease. This classification empowers officials to take emergency measures such as restricting gatherings, suspending work and school, and sealing off areas during an outbreak.