Photo credit: NIAID

A recent study published as a preprint reveals critical insights into the genomic diversity and evolution of the Clade Ib mpox virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the WHO in August 2024, following the rapid spread of Clade Ib in eastern DRC and neighboring regions. By analyzing over 190 viral genomes collected between 2018 and 2024, researchers from the Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale (INRB) in DRC, in collaboration with Canadian researchers at Dalhousie University, identified unique deletions in two key genes, OPG032 and OPG033, distinguishing Clade Ib from other mpox clades. These deletions may contribute to the clade’s altered transmission dynamics and lower observed case fatality rates compared to Clade Ia. Such findings enhance our understanding of the virus’s zoonotic potential and its capacity for human-to-human spread.

Supported by AFROSCREEN, the research leveraged advanced genomic surveillance tools to identify conserved and clade-specific genetic elements critical for developing diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines. The sequencing infrastructure established through AFROSCREEN in the region has been pivotal in enabling this kind of large-scale analysis. Notably, Clade Ib’s genetic divergence underscores the need for tailored public health interventions in endemic and non-endemic regions.

The article can be found (in preprint) here: https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.10.31.24315917