Fulltext#:~:Text=The%20Latest%20Mpox%20Outbreaks%20In,Enhance%20African%20Public%20Health%20Responses
The Lancet4 days
Scientists from the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a warning Tuesday over the spread of mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, in Africa, with other scientists drawing attention to a new strain found in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Around 8.6K mpox cases have been reported in the DRC this year, resulting in 410 deaths. A new strain, which is a mutated version of the clade I mpox endemic seen in the DRC for decades, reportedly has a 5% fatality rate for adults and 10% for children.
As Africa faces the brunt of the mpox outbreak, research on how to combat the virus is vital. However, with studies limited to wealthier countries, clinical trials and outbreak surveillance must be funded with a primary focus on hard-hit African countries. Poorer countries shouldn't be left helpless simply due to economic inequality.
While the initial mpox outbreaks may have come from animals, it appears the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases is conducting gain-of-function research yet again. No scientist or government should be conducting studies that have the potential to make these diseases even deadlier in the face of an existing endemic in Africa.