The monkeypox virus, a variant of clade Ib, has been identified as the most dangerous strain in Africa, capable of causing fatalities and spreading rapidly. Initially detected in the Democratic Republic of Congo in September 2023, it has now spread to towns near the Rwandan border, close to Burundi and Uganda. Experts have raised concerns about a potential global outbreak, although they have not yet declared it a pandemic.
Trudie Lang, director of the Global Health Network at the University of Oxford, emphasized the importance of vigilance and immediate action to contain the spread of the virus in the region. John Claude Udahemuka, a lecturer at the University of Rwanda, described this new strain as more dangerous than all known versions of monkeypox, with severe consequences like miscarriage and blindness.
Monkeypox is primarily transmitted through close contact with individuals who are infected with the virus. Symptoms include flu-like illness followed by a painful rash that progresses into pus-filled blisters and lesions. Previous strains had limited transmission within households but clade IIb was known to spread globally mainly through sexual contact. The new clade Ib strain can be transmitted through both routes.
The emergence of this new strain is particularly concerning due to its higher mortality rate compared to previous strains. Leandre Murhula Masirika reported significant cases and deaths linked to monkeypox in Congo. Urgent measures are needed to prevent further spread, including understanding the virus better, developing vaccines and implementing safety protocols.
Recent history has seen outbreaks of monkeypox among diverse populations worldwide such as individuals in Europe and Vietnam. In response to this outbreak in 2021-2023, WHO declared a public health emergency of international concern urging efforts from healthcare providers globally to combat its spread.
In conclusion, urgent action is required from all stakeholders involved to combat this highly infectious disease caused by monkeypox clade Ib’s emergence on our continent before it becomes an epidemic or even a pandemic worldwide with severe consequences on human health systems globally.
