The World Health Organisation has declared ampox a global public health emergency for the second time in two years, as an outbreak of the virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo spreads to neighbouring countries.
A new variant of the virus, Clade Ib, has sparked global concern because it is spreading rapidly and little is known about it. The disease spreads through close contact.
The following are the countries in which Clade Ib ampox cases have been reported:
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Two types of ampox are spreading in the Democratic Republic of the Congo – the endemic clade I and the newer clade Ib, which spreads more easily through close contact, including sexually.
The current outbreak has resulted in 27,000 cases and more than 1,100 deaths since January 2023, most of them children.
Sweden
Global health officials confirmed infections with a new variant of the ampoxvirus in Sweden on August 15, the first sign of its spread outside the African continent.
Swedish health officials said in a press conference that the man was infected with the Clade Ib type of ampox involved in a recent outbreak while in Africa. The man is being treated.
burundi
Burundi’s Ministry of Health has investigated and confirmed 61 cases of Clade Ib ampox spread across several districts as of August 9. According to WHO data, no deaths had been documented by the time of reporting.
Kenya
On 29 July, Kenya’s Ministry of Health confirmed a case of Clade Ib ampox, the first case of ampox identified in the country. As of 8 August, no deaths had been reported, according to WHO data.
Rwanda
According to World Health Organisation data, as of August 7, four cases of clade Ib ampox had been reported in the country and there had been no deaths overall.
Uganda
Two cases of Clade IB ampox were reported in Uganda, the first confirmed ampox cases identified in the country. Investigations revealed that the infections had occurred outside Uganda and as of 2 August, no secondary infections had been linked to the two cases.
According to World Health Organisation data, no deaths have been reported as of August 8.
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