Health and Me

Itisha Arya

WHO Warns Of Rising Mpox Cases As New ‘Clade Ib’ Strain Spreads Globally—See The List Of Affected Countries

mpox cases

The <span>World Health Organization</span> (WHO) has raised concern over the continued spread of <span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/mpox">Mpox</a></span> (formerly known as monkeypox) across Africa and other regions. In the past six weeks alone, 17 African nations have reported active transmission. Between September 14 and October 19, there were 2,862 confirmed infections and 17 related deaths, according to WHO’s 59th multi-country situation report released on October 30.

The Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, Kenya, and Ghana have reported the highest number of cases. Infections have increased notably in Kenya and Liberia, while the Democratic Republic of Congo has seen a slight decline and Ghana is beginning to show early signs of improvement.

<h2>What Is Mpox and How Does It Spread?</h2>

Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, is a viral infection caused by the monkeypox virus, which belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus. The World Health Organization (WHO) identifies two main clades of the virus, Clade I (subdivided into Ia and Ib) and Clade II (IIa and IIb). The widespread outbreak seen during 2022–2023 was primarily linked to Clade IIb.

Typical symptoms include skin rashes or lesions that last two to four weeks, along with fever, body aches, swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, and headaches.

The infection spreads through close physical contact with an infected person, contaminated objects, or animals carrying the virus. Transmission from a pregnant woman to her baby can also occur.

<h2>How Serious Is the Global Mpox Situation Now?</h2>

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a total of 42 countries reported 3,135 confirmed Mpox infections and 12 related deaths in September, with more than four-fifths of all cases recorded in Africa. While most regions have seen infection rates ease, the European and South-East Asian regions are now showing a slight increase.

The WHO stated that all variants, or clades, of the monkeypox virus (MPXV) remain in circulation worldwide. Experts caution that if emerging outbreaks are not swiftly controlled, ongoing community transmission may occur.

It is worth noting that in the same month, the WHO ended Mpox’s designation as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) after observing a consistent decline in new infections, particularly in heavily affected African countries.

<h2>Where Has the New <span rel="noindex">Clade Ib Variant</span> Been Found?</h2>

The Clade Ib form of the Mpox virus has been newly detected in Malaysia, Namibia, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain. Additional imported cases linked to international travellers carrying the same strain have appeared in Belgium, Canada, Germany, Italy, Qatar, and Spain.

Evidence of local transmission—cases without any recent travel exposure, has been confirmed in six countries outside Africa: Italy, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, and the United States. In the U.S., three patients hospitalised in California tested positive for the new variant despite no travel history, according to The Guardian, prompting concern among health authorities.

Following these developments, WHO has officially classified these countries as experiencing community-level spread of the Clade Ib MPXV strain.

<h2>How Are Countries Responding to the Renewed Spread of Mpox?</h2>

WHO continues to assess the global Mpox threat as moderate among men who have sex with men (MSM) and low for the general population. The agency is encouraging governments to sustain surveillance systems, improve testing capabilities, and maintain access to vaccines and treatment options to prevent wider community outbreaks.

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Clade Ib Variant

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The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised concern over the continued spread of Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) across Africa and other regions. In the past six weeks alone, 17 African nations have reported active transmission. Between September 14 and October 19, there were 2,862 confirmed infections and 17 related deaths, according to WHO’s 59th multi-country situation report released on October 30.The Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, Kenya, and Ghana have reported the highest number of cases. Infections have increased notably in Kenya and Liberia, while the Democratic Republic of Congo has seen a slight decline and Ghana is beginning to show early signs of improvement.What Is Mpox and How Does It Spread?Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, is a viral infection caused by the monkeypox virus, which belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus. The World Health Organization (WHO) identifies two main clades of the virus, Clade I (subdivided into Ia and Ib) and Clade II (IIa and IIb). The widespread outbreak seen during 2022–2023 was primarily linked to Clade IIb.Typical symptoms include skin rashes or lesions that last two to four weeks, along with fever, body aches, swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, and headaches.The infection spreads through close physical contact with an infected person, contaminated objects, or animals carrying the virus. Transmission from a pregnant woman to her baby can also occur.How Serious Is the Global Mpox Situation Now?According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a total of 42 countries reported 3,135 confirmed Mpox infections and 12 related deaths in September, with more than four-fifths of all cases recorded in Africa. While most regions have seen infection rates ease, the European and South-East Asian regions are now showing a slight increase.The WHO stated that all variants, or clades, of the monkeypox virus (MPXV) remain in circulation worldwide. Experts caution that if emerging outbreaks are not swiftly controlled, ongoing community transmission may occur.It is worth noting that in the same month, the WHO ended Mpox’s designation as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) after observing a consistent decline in new infections, particularly in heavily affected African countries.Where Has the New Clade Ib Variant Been Found?The Clade Ib form of the Mpox virus has been newly detected in Malaysia, Namibia, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain. Additional imported cases linked to international travellers carrying the same strain have appeared in Belgium, Canada, Germany, Italy, Qatar, and Spain.Evidence of local transmission—cases without any recent travel exposure, has been confirmed in six countries outside Africa: Italy, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, and the United States. In the U.S., three patients hospitalised in California tested positive for the new variant despite no travel history, according to The Guardian, prompting concern among health authorities.Following these developments, WHO has officially classified these countries as experiencing community-level spread of the Clade Ib MPXV strain.How Are Countries Responding to the Renewed Spread of Mpox?WHO continues to assess the global Mpox threat as moderate among men who have sex with men (MSM) and low for the general population. The agency is encouraging governments to sustain surveillance systems, improve testing capabilities, and maintain access to vaccines and treatment options to prevent wider community outbreaks.