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 new virus has spread to at least two countries outside Africa.
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.
As of August 11, the DRC has seen a total of 3,235 cases and 19 deaths in 2024. According to WHO data, 38 cases of ampox have been confirmed in the country in the past two weeks.
Sweden
Global health officials confirmed infections with a new variant of the ampox virus 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.
Thailand
On 22 August, a disease control official said that a confirmed case of ampox in Thailand was caused by the clade IB variant of the virus, the first such case in the country.
The case was first reported on August 21 and Thailand said it was a 66-year-old European man who arrived from an African country where the disease was spreading.
Burundi
As of August 18, Burundi has reported 153 cases of Clade Ib ampox and no deaths. According to WHO data, 113 cases of Clade Ib ampox have been reported in the country in the past two weeks.
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
According to WHO data, as of August 18, three cases of Clade Ib ampox have been reported in Uganda, none of which resulted in death. These cases are among the first confirmed ampox cases identified in the country.
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