Deadly New Mpox Strain (Clade 1b) Surges in Democratic Republic of Congo: Highest Mortality Rates, Lack of Vaccines and Treatments Pose Major Challenges

Approximately 8,600 cases of mpox (Clade 1b) have been reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) this year.
Highest mortality rates: around 5% in adults and 10% in children compared to previous strains.
Lack of vaccines and treatments poses major challenges for controlling the outbreak.
Deadly New Mpox Strain (Clade 1b) Surges in Democratic Republic of Congo: Highest Mortality Rates, Lack of Vaccines and Treatments Pose Major Challenges

A dangerous new strain of mpox, known as Clade 1b, has emerged in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), causing significant concern among health officials and scientists. This strain shows particularly severe symptoms and higher mortality rates compared to previous strains. According to reports from various sources, approximately 8,600 cases of mpox have been reported in Congo this year, resulting in 410 deaths. The outbreak is the worst mpox epidemic yet with 24 of its provinces affected.

The new strain has a fatality rate of around 5% in adults and 10% in children, significantly higher than the less severe Clade IIb strain that spread globally in 2022. Leandre Murhula Masirika reported that around 20 new cases are being admitted to hospitals each week in the mining town of Kamituga, South Kivu province. The World Health Organization (WHO) has highlighted the lack of available vaccines and treatments in Congo as a major obstacle in controlling the outbreak.

Mpox is a viral infection that spreads through close contact and causes flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions. It primarily affects monkeys but can also infect humans. The virus has been endemic in Congo for decades, with clade I mpox being the most common strain.

The new Clade 1b strain is spreading partly by sexual contact among men and women, particularly among sex workers. However, it's important to note that this strain can also spread through other forms of close contact. Evidence of transmission at schools and from caregiver to child has been observed.

The WHO has urged for immediate action to address the surge in mpox cases in Africa, emphasizing the importance of vaccines and treatments in controlling the outbreak. The organization is working with partners to ensure that these resources are made available as soon as possible.

It's crucial to remain vigilant about this new strain and its potential impact on public health. Further research is needed to fully understand its transmission dynamics, severity, and potential for international spread.


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Confidence

85%

Doubts
  • Are there any new developments or updates on the availability of vaccines and treatments for this strain?
  • Is there a definitive cause for the higher mortality rates in adults and children compared to previous strains?

Sources

70%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

New mpox strain in DR Congo 'most dangerous yet'

BBC News Site: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-68702081, About Us URL: https://www.bbc.com/aboutthebbc/ Philippa Roxby Wednesday, 26 June 2024 09:38
  • Unique Points
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Accuracy
    • ]A new strain of mpox, called mpox (clade 1b), is spreading rapidly in central Africa.[
    • Mpox, formerly called monkeypox, is a viral infection and can be deadly.
  • Deception (30%)
    The author uses the phrase 'most dangerous strain yet' without providing any evidence or citing sources to back up this claim. This is an example of sensationalism and emotional manipulation.
    • The new strain of the mpox virus spreading quickly along the eastern border of Democratic Republic of Congo is ‘incredibly worrying’, say health officials monitoring its spread.
    • Global health experts say the new variant risks cross-border and international spread of the virus, with one calling it the ‘most dangerous strain yet’.
  • Fallacies (80%)
    The author uses the phrase 'most dangerous strain yet' which is an appeal to authority fallacy as it relies on the opinion of Prof. Trudie Lang without providing any evidence or reasoning to support this claim. The author also uses the phrase 'tip of the iceberg' which is an exaggeration and a form of informal fallacy.
    • It's definitely the most dangerous strain yet.
    • The current case figures are ‘the tip of the iceberg’.
  • Bias (90%)
    The author uses the term 'most dangerous strain yet' to describe the new mpox strain, which could be seen as an exaggeration and a form of fear-mongering. This statement is not backed up by any specific data or evidence in the article.
    • "It's definitely the most dangerous strain yet."
    • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
      None Found At Time Of Publication
    • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
      None Found At Time Of Publication

    93%

    The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
    (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

    A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

    New strain of monkeypox causes miscarriages and spreads rapidly without sexual contact, experts warn

    The Daily Telegraph Maeve Cullinan Wednesday, 26 June 2024 09:39
    • Unique Points
      • A new strain of monkeypox, called mpox (clade 1b), is spreading rapidly in central Africa.
      • The virus causes miscarriages and has a fatality rate of up to 10% in adults and children.
      • Clade 1b spreads through touch, not just sexual contact.
      • It has already spread beyond Africa’s borders, with cases reported in neighboring countries like Rwanda, Burundi, and Uganda.
      • The smallpox vaccine may not protect against clade 1b.
      • PCR tests designed to diagnose mpox don’t work for the new strain, potentially allowing thousands to spread the illness asymptomatically.
    • Accuracy
      • Approximately 8,600 mpox cases and 410 deaths have been reported in Congo this year.
    • Deception (100%)
      None Found At Time Of Publication
    • Fallacies (80%)
      The author uses inflammatory rhetoric by stating that the new strain of monkeypox is 'undoubtedly the most dangerous strain of mpox yet' and 'causing extreme danger in terms of disease severity'. This is an appeal to fear and can be considered an informal fallacy. The author also states that 'PCR tests designed to diagnose the disease also don’t work for the new strain', which is a false statement. This can be considered a misrepresentation or deception, and it lowers the credibility of the article.
      • ][The new strain of monkeypox is] undoubtedly the most dangerous strain of mpox yet.[/
      • PCR tests designed to diagnose the disease also don’t work for the new strain.
    • Bias (95%)
      The author uses language that depicts the new strain of monkeypox as 'extremely dangerous' and 'undoubtedly the most dangerous strain yet'. She also mentions that it is spreading rapidly through touch and causing miscarriages in young women. These statements could be perceived as sensationalizing the situation and creating fear, which could be considered bias.
      • A new strain of monkeypox that causes miscarriage and has a fatality rate of up to 10 per cent is spreading rapidly in central Africa, a team of experts warned in a press briefing today.
        • It's causing extreme danger in terms of disease severity.
          • The virus had caused an alarming number of miscarriages in young women.
          • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication
          • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication

          98%

          The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
          (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

          A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

          WHO ignites calls for urgent action on a dangerous mpox strain

          The Hill News Site: https://thehill.com/homenews/senate-seethe-republicans-call-for-israeli-elections/ Lauren Irwin Tuesday, 25 June 2024 22:54
          • Unique Points
            • A dangerous strain of mpox has been detected in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
            • Approximately 8,600 mpox cases and 410 deaths have been reported in Congo this year.
            • This is Congo’s worst mpox epidemic to date with 24 of its 26 provinces affected.
          • Accuracy
            • The strain spreading in Congo’s South Kivu province is a mutated version of the virus that’s been in the country for decades.
            • Around 600 patients have been identified in Kamituga where the mutant virus was first identified.
            • 20 cases are arriving at the hospital in Kamituga, South Kivu every week.
          • Deception (100%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication
          • Fallacies (100%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication
          • Bias (100%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication
          • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication
          • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication

          100%

          The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
          (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

          A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

          WHO and scientists call for urgent action on highly dangerous mpox strain

          NBC News Digital Wednesday, 26 June 2024 09:40
          • Unique Points
            • Approximately 8,600 mpox cases and 410 deaths have been reported in Congo this year.
            • This strain has fatality rates of around 5% in adults and 10% in children.
            • The new strain is spreading partly by sexual contact among men and women, and particularly among sex workers.
            • Evidence of transmission at school and from caregiver to child has been observed.
            • 20 cases are arriving at the hospital in Kamituga, South Kivu every week. South Kivu borders Rwanda and Burundi.
            • The outbreak is the worst mpox epidemic yet.
          • Accuracy
            No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
          • Deception (100%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication
          • Fallacies (100%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication
          • Bias (100%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication
          • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication
          • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication

          100%

          The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
          (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

          A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

          New Deadly Mpox Strain Emerges in Congo, WHO Calls for Immediate Action

          Business Times Brett Wattles Wednesday, 26 June 2024 00:00
          • Unique Points
            • A highly dangerous new strain of mpox, known as Clade 1b, has emerged in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
            • The new strain shows particularly severe symptoms and higher mortality rates compared to previous strains.
            • There have been approximately 8,600 cases of mpox in the DRC this year, resulting in 410 deaths.
            • Mpox is a viral infection that spreads through close contact and causes flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions.
            • The new Clade 1b strain has a fatality rate of around 5% in adults and 10% in children, significantly higher than the less severe Clade 2 strain.
            • Leandre Murhula Masirika reported that around 20 new cases are being admitted to hospitals in the mining town of Kamituga each week.
            • The World Health Organization (WHO) has highlighted the lack of available vaccines and treatments in the DRC as a major obstacle in controlling the outbreak.
          • Accuracy
            No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
          • Deception (100%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication
          • Fallacies (100%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication
          • Bias (100%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication
          • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication
          • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication