Human Monkeypox in the Kivus, a Conflict Region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2015 Oct;93(4):718-21. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.15-0095. Epub 2015 Aug 17.

Abstract

Monkeypox (MPX) is a zoonotic Orthopoxvirus infection endemic in central and western Africa. Human MPX cases occur in the central and northern regions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and this is the first report of confirmed MPX cases in the forested areas of North and South Kivu Provinces, with a detailed epidemiological investigation for one case. The location of each case is within areas predicted to be suitable for MPX virus transmission based on an ecological niche model. Phylogenetic analysis places these viruses in the Congo Basin clade.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Child
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Monkeypox virus* / genetics
  • Mpox (monkeypox) / epidemiology*
  • Phylogeny
  • Warfare
  • Young Adult