Photo © IRD – Bruno Le Ru

The Mpox virus in the DRC continues to pose significant public health challenges, particularly with the circulation of different lineages and the emergence of new transmission routes. Genomic sequencing plays a crucial role in monitoring the virus’s evolution and identifying transmission dynamics, thereby contributing to more targeted interventions.

Here is the list of Mpox studies in the DRC, published in 2024, which benefited from the support of AFROSCREEN, led by the National Institute of Biomedical Research in Kinshasa (INRB) and its partners. These works highlight how the joint efforts, supported by AFROSCREEN, have enhanced the understanding of the virus’s spread dynamics and helped adapt public health responses.

Published or in press:
• Presumed Transmission of 2 Distinct Monkeypox Virus Variants from Central African Republic to Democratic Republic of the Congo (Vakaniaki et al., Emerg Infect Dis, 2024)
Novelty: Provides evidence of transnational spread of Mpox from CAR to DRC, with genomic analysis linking cases of subclade Ia, highlighting the importance of strengthened regional surveillance and international collaboration. Lien vers l’article

• Sustained human outbreak of a new MPXV clade I lineage in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (Vakaniaki et al., Nat Med, 2024)
Novelty: Describes a sustained human outbreak involving a new lineage of Clade I of the Mpox virus, marking a significant viral evolution in eastern DRC and highlighting the potential for increased human-to-human transmission, posing major public health challenges. Lien vers l’article

• Co-Circulating Monkeypox and Swinepox Viruses, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2022 (Kalonji et al., Emerg Infect Dis, 2024)
Novelty: First report of co-circulation of Mpox and Swinepox viruses in the same region of the DRC, raising concerns about interspecies transmission and potential viral interactions, emphasizing the need for integrated surveillance. Lien vers l’article

• Clade I-Associated Mpox Cases Associated with Sexual Contact, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Kibungu et al., Emerg Infect Dis, 2024)
Novelty: Reports cases of Clade I Mpox virus associated with sexual contact in the DRC, highlighting a previously underestimated transmission route for this clade, calling for increased vigilance and targeted public health interventions. Lien vers l’article

Preprint:
• First imported Cases of MPXV Clade Ib in Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo: Implications for Global Surveillance and Transmission Dynamics (Mukadi-Bamuleka et al., medRxiv, 2024)
Novelty: Highlights the first imported cases of Clade Ib in Goma (DRC), underscoring the international spread of the virus and the urgency of improving global surveillance. Lien vers l’article

• Clade I Mpox virus genomic diversity in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2018 – 2024: Predominance of Zoonotic Transmission (Kinganda-Lusamaki et al., medRxiv, 2024)
Novelty: Reveals notable genomic diversity of the Clade I Mpox virus, with a predominance of zoonotic over human-to-human transmission during the study period, highlighting the need to adapt surveillance and intervention strategies to target animal reservoirs. Lien vers l’article

• Co-circulation of Clade Ia and Ib monkeypox virus in Kinshasa Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo, July – August 2024 (Wawina-Bokalanga et al., medRxiv, 2024)
Novelty: Demonstrates the simultaneous co-circulation of Clades Ia and Ib of the Mpox virus in Kinshasa Province, revealing potential interactions between these clades and highlighting the need to adapt surveillance and control strategies to face these complex transmission dynamics in the region. Lien vers l’article

Posts on virological.org:
• Clade Ib Mpox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC): clinical and virological report of the first case in Kinshasa, the capital city
Novelty: First documented case of Clade Ib Mpox virus in Kinshasa, highlighting the urban spread of this clade, previously identified mainly in rural or isolated areas. Lien vers l’article

• First mpox virus clade Ib cases in Goma, Nord Kivu, DRC: Potential risk for a larger outbreak
Novelty: First reported cases of Clade Ib Mpox virus in Goma, Nord-Kivu, suggesting a potential risk of a larger outbreak in a city near international borders. Lien vers l’article

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