The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a health alert following a new strain of monkeypox virus (MPXV, or mpox) outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on August 7. Subsequently, on August 14, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a global health emergency, marking the second time since 2022 that such a declaration has been made due to an mpox outbreak.
In July 2022, a multi-country mpox outbreak prompted a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) as it rapidly spread through sexual contact in nations where the virus had previously been unseen. This PHEIC was lifted in May 2023 after a significant decline in global cases, according to WHO’s update on August 14. The report noted a significant rise in cases last year and indicated that more than 15,600 cases and 537 deaths worldwide have been reported thus far this year.
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has recorded over 17,000 cases across the continent in 2024, reflecting the severity of the new strain which is considered more contagious and lethal. As of now, the U.S. has not confirmed any cases of this new variant.
The CDC’s latest data, updated in April 2024, reported that 744 cases of the clade II strain have been identified in the U.S. this year, the variant responsible for the health emergency declared in 2022. Florida recorded 59 confirmed cases of monkeypox by April 13. However, the Florida Department of Health has reported over 1,800 confirmed cases of mpox in the state as of August 18, suggesting discrepancies with CDC and WHO data.
Current outbreaks triggering the global health emergency are concentrated in 13 African countries, including the DRC, Uganda, Rwanda, and Nigeria, among others. The Africa CDC has reported approximately 500 deaths and has requested international medical assistance.
Symptoms of mpox typically start with a rash that may appear on the hands, feet, face, or near the genital area. The incubation period ranges from 3 to 17 days, during which an individual may feel well and show no symptoms. The rash transitions through multiple stages, starting as bumps or blisters and can be painful or itchy. Other common symptoms include fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, muscle aches, and respiratory symptoms.
Although monkeypox primarily occurs in Africa, cases have been documented in other regions, including the U.S., since mid-2022. Two main clades of the monkeypox virus have been recognized: Clade I from Central Africa and Clade II from West Africa.
Testing for monkeypox is only recommended for individuals presenting with rashes consistent with mpox. Only healthcare providers can order tests, with specimens being sent to labs for analysis. For any inquiries regarding testing options, individuals are advised to contact their local health department.
While the term “monkeypox” originated from the discovery of the virus during an outbreak in monkey colonies in 1958, the true source remains unidentified. It is suspected that African rodents and non-human primates may harbor the virus. The first human mpox case was reported in 1970. In response to stigmatization associated with the name, WHO has adopted “mpox” as the preferred terminology since 2022.