Post Reply - New emerging Monkeypox strain in Congo

then called Monkeypox

   https://afludiary.blogspot.com/2024/07/biomedicines-re-emergence-of-mpox-old.html or https://afludiary.blogspot.com/2024/07/biomedicines-re-emergence-of-mpox-old.html ;
While much of the world expressed surprise when a clade IIb Mpox (then called Monkeypox) virus began its world tour in the spring of 2022, experts had been warning for years it was not only possible, but increasingly likely. 

Cautionary reports published between 2020 and early 2022 include:
PLoS NTD: The Changing Epidemiology of Human Monkeypox—A potential threat?

EID Journal: Reemergence of Human Monkeypox and Declining Population Immunity - Nigeria, 2017–2020

WHO: Modelling Human-to-Human Transmission of Monkeypox
While largely ignored, 2 distinct clades of Mpox (I & II) had been spreading across central Africa for decades, mostly in a handful of endemic countries (clade I primarily in the DRC & CAR), with a weaker clade II virus re-emerging in Nigeria after an absence of 40 years in 2017. 

DJ...no "lab-leak-non-sense" needed ! Very UNwelcome anti-science !
Luckily, it has been the far less-dangerous Clade IIb that has been spreading internationally for the past 2 years.  Deaths have only rarely (< 2%) been reported. 
But we've seen recent increases in the spread of the more pathogenic clade I virus in the DRC, including the emergence of a new, and apparently more transmissible, clade Ib virus (see Eurosurveillance: Ongoing Mpox Outbreak in South Kivu Province, DRC Associated With a Novel Clade I Sub-lineage).
While the future course and impact of Mpox is unknowable, there are growing concerns that clade Ib might follow in the footsteps of clade IIb - or worse - clade I could evolve into an even more formidable virus before breaking out of Central Africa. 
The Mpox virus (MPXV) is known to cause zoonotic disease in humans. The virus belongs to the genus Orthopoxvirus, of the family Poxviridae, and was first reported in monkeys in 1959 in Denmark and in humans in 1970 in the Congo. MPXV first appeared in the U.S. in 2003, re-emerged in 2017, and spread globally within a few years. Wild African rodents are thought to be the reservoir of MPXV. The exotic trade of animals and international travel can contribute to the spread of the Mpox virus. A phylogenetic analysis of MPXV revealed two distinct clades (Central African clade and West African clade).
The smallpox vaccine shows cross-protection against MPXV infections in humans. Those who have not previously been exposed to Orthopoxvirus infections are more vulnerable to MPXV infections. Clinical manifestations in humans include fever, muscle pain, headache, and vesicle formation on the skin of infected individuals. Pathognomonic lesions include ballooning degenerations with Guarnieri-like inclusions in vesicular epithelial cells.

Alterations in viral genome through genetic mutations might favor the re-emergence of a version of MPXV with enhanced virulence. As of November 2023, 92,783 cases and 171 deaths have been reported in 116 countries, representing a global public health concern. Here, we provide insights on the re-emergence of MPXV in humans. 

This review covers the origin, emergence, re-emergence, transmission, pathology, diagnosis, control measures, and immunomodulation of the virus, as well as clinical manifestations. Concerted efforts of health professionals and scientists are needed to prevent the disease and stop its transmission in vulnerable populations.
DJ, Time to restart a sort of (M)pox vaccination ? 

But another aspect is travel...diseases travel for free !
Testing has its limits...for climate reasons less travel also would be welcome...