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U.S. Preparedness and Response to Increasing Clade I Mpox Cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo - United States, 2024

Jennifer H McQuiston et al. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. .

Abstract

Clade I monkeypox virus (MPXV), which can cause severe illness in more people than clade II MPXVs, is endemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), but the country has experienced an increase in suspected cases during 2023-2024. In light of the 2022 global outbreak of clade II mpox, the increase in suspected clade I cases in DRC raises concerns that the virus could spread to other countries and underscores the importance of coordinated, urgent global action to support DRC's efforts to contain the virus. To date, no cases of clade I mpox have been detected outside of countries in Central Africa where the virus is endemic. CDC and other partners are working to support DRC's response. In addition, CDC is enhancing U.S. preparedness by raising awareness, strengthening surveillance, expanding diagnostic testing capacity for clade I MPXV, ensuring appropriate specimen handling and waste management, emphasizing the importance of appropriate medical treatment, and communicating guidance on the recommended contact tracing, containment, behavior modification, and vaccination strategies.

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Conflict of interest statement

All authors have completed and submitted the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors form for disclosure of potential conflicts of interest. Christopher K. Brown reports uncompensated participation on the Prevention, Preparedness, and Response Consortium Training Academy Advisory Board. No other potential conflicts of interest were disclosed.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Suspected clade I mpox cases and deaths — Democratic Republic of the Congo, January 1, 2023–April 14, 2024 * Reporting of data from multiple sources might result in minor discrepancies between the numbers of cumulative cases and deaths reported to CDC by the Democratic Republic of the Congo Ministry of Health and those that appear in the figure.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Number of suspected clade I mpox cases, by province — Democratic Republic of the Congo, January 1, 2023–April 14, 2024
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Age distribution of suspected clade I mpox cases and deaths — Democratic Republic of the Congo, January 1, 2023–April 14, 2024
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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