The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a warning about a deadly and fast-spreading strain of the monkeypox virus known as Clade I. The virus is primarily spread through close physical contact and can cause symptoms such as rashes, bumps, blisters, and flu-like symptoms. The Democratic Republic of Congo has reported over 12,500 monkeypox cases and nearly 600 suspected deaths since January.
The outbreak in the DRC is the largest-ever monkeypox outbreak and is caused by a different form of the virus than the one responsible for the global wave of cases in 2022 and 2023. The virus variant in the DRC is more virulent and has a higher fatality rate than the previous variant. There is concern that the outbreak could spread further, especially among vulnerable populations such as sex workers.
While cases related to this variant have not been reported in the U.S., the CDC has alerted health professionals about the possibility in travelers who have been in the DRC. Health officials in Rhode Island and Nashville, Tennessee, have also reported a surge in monkeypox cases. The symptoms of monkeypox infection include fever, chills, skin rash, swollen lymph nodes, headache, muscle pain, backache, and fatigue.
The CDC also noted that Clade I can be transmitted through sexual contact, which is different from the less deadly strain that primarily affected gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men. Previously, it was believed that both types of monkeypox spread through close contact after spilling over from infected animals.
