New Mutated Mpox Strain Detected in China Amid Global Spread

Chinese health authorities announced on Thursday the detection of a new mutated mpox strain, clade Ib, as the virus continues to spread internationally. This comes after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared mpox a global public health emergency last year.

China’s Centre for Disease Control and Prevention reported a cluster outbreak of the Ib subclade originating from a foreign national with a history of travel and residence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Following this initial case, four additional infections were identified among individuals who had close contact with the foreigner. The affected patients are experiencing mild symptoms, including skin rashes and blisters.

Mpox, which spreads through close contact, typically presents flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions on the body. While the infection is generally mild, it can be fatal in rare instances.

The WHO first declared mpox a global public health emergency last August, marking the second such declaration in two years. This followed an outbreak in the DRC that subsequently spread to neighboring countries.