Global Focus on Mpox Strain 1B as Cases Surge

Global Focus on Mpox Strain 1B as Cases Surge

Recent increases in mpox cases, particularly those caused by clades Ia and Ib, have drawn significant global attention. The World Health Organization (WHO) is currently investigating the lethality of the Clade 1B variant. As of August 27, WHO officials stated that while research is ongoing, there is no current evidence suggesting that Clade 1B leads to more severe illness or higher death rates compared to other strains.

Mpox, a virus related to smallpox, generally causes milder symptoms such as fever, chills, and body aches. First identified in Denmark in 1958, mpox was first detected in humans in 1970 when a nine-month-old boy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo became the first reported case. Since then, the virus has appeared sporadically across various continents, with Africa being the most frequently affected region.

Efforts to manage mpox focus on treating the rash, alleviating pain, and preventing complications. While the virus has not caused widespread severe outbreaks, ongoing research aims to better understand its different strains and improve public health responses.

Source: Africa News