Presumed Transmission of 2 Distinct Monkeypox Virus Variants from Central African Republic to Democratic Republic of the Congo

Emerg Infect Dis. 2024 Oct;30(10):2128-2134. doi: 10.3201/eid3010.241118. Epub 2024 Aug 30.

Abstract

We linked 4 mpox cases in South Ubangi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, to transboundary transmission from Central African Republic. Viral genome sequencing demonstrated that the monkeypox virus sequences belonged to distinct clusters of subclade Ia. This finding demonstrates the borderless nature of mpox and highlights the need for vigilant regional surveillance.

Keywords: Central African Republic; Democratic Republic of the Congo; MPXV; cross-border transmission; monkeypox virus; mpox; sexually transmitted infections; subclade Ia; surveillance; viruses; zoonoses.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Central African Republic / epidemiology
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Genome, Viral
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Monkeypox virus* / classification
  • Monkeypox virus* / genetics
  • Mpox (monkeypox)* / epidemiology
  • Mpox (monkeypox)* / transmission
  • Mpox (monkeypox)* / virology
  • Phylogeny*