The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a health alert in response to a new strain of monkeypox virus (referred to as MPXV or mpox) identified in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on August 7. Following this, on August 14, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a global health emergency. This marks the second time since 2022 that WHO has announced a global health emergency due to outbreaks of mpox.
Last year, a multi-country outbreak prompted WHO to declare a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) in July 2022 as the virus spread rapidly through sexual contact across nations where it had not previously been reported. That emergency was lifted in May 2023 following a sustained decline in global cases. However, the current situation reflects a worrying increase in reported cases, with over 15,600 cases and 537 deaths worldwide already registered this year.
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has reported even higher figures, indicating more than 17,000 cases on the continent for 2024 alone. The new strain of monkeypox virus is noted to be more contagious and lethal, though no confirmed cases of this variant have appeared in the United States to date.
In the U.S., there have been 744 cases of the clade II strain of mpox reported in 2024, a strain linked to the previous global emergency. Florida has recorded 59 confirmed cases of monkeypox in 2024, while the Florida Department of Health states that over 1,800 confirmed cases of mpox have been reported in the state this year, reflecting inconsistency with CDC and WHO data.
Current outbreaks prompting health advisories are concentrated in Africa, spanning 13 countries, including the DRC, Uganda, and Nigeria, with Africa CDC reporting 500 deaths and seeking international medical assistance.
Symptoms of mpox typically include a rash that may appear on various body parts, including the hands, feet, and near the genitals, alongside other symptoms such as fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, muscle aches, headaches, and respiratory issues. The CDC notes that the incubation period for mpox ranges from 3 to 17 days during which individuals may remain asymptomatic.
Monkeypox is primarily found in Africa but has also been detected in other regions, including the U.S., since May 2022. Two distinct clades of the virus have been identified: Clade I and Clade II.
Testing for monkeypox is only recommended for individuals exhibiting rash symptoms consistent with mpox. Testing can only be ordered by a healthcare provider, who may collect samples for laboratory testing.
The term “monkeypox” originated from outbreaks observed in monkeys in 1958. However, the true source of the virus remains uncertain, with scientists suspecting African rodents and non-human primates as potential reservoirs for the infection. As of 2022, WHO has favored the term “mpox” over “monkeypox” to avoid stigmatization associated with the original name.