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Title: Sustained Human Outbreak of a New MPXV Clade I Lineage in the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo
Authors: Vakaniaki EH, Kacita C, Kinganda-Lusamaki E, O'Toole Á, Wawina-Bokalanga T, Mukadi-Bamuleka D, Amuri-Aziza A, Malyamungu-Bubala N, Mweshi-Kumbana F, Mutimbwa-Mambo L, Belesi-Siangoli F, Mujula Y, Parker E, Muswamba-Kayembe PC, Nundu SS, Lushima RS, Makangara-Cigolo JC, Mulopo-Mukanya N, Pukuta-Simbu E, Akil-Bandali P, Kavunga H, Abdramane O, Brosius I, Bangwen E, Vercauteren K, Sam-Agudu NA, Mills EJ, Tshiani-Mbaya O, Hoff NA, Rimoin AW, Hensley LE, Kindrachuk J, Baxter C, de Oliveira T, Ayouba A, Peeters M, Delaporte E, Ahuka-Mundeke S, Mohr EL, Sullivan NJ, Muyembe-Tamfum JJ, Nachega JB, Rambaut A, Liesenborghs L, Mbala-Kingebeni P.
Journal: Nature Medicine,doi: 10.1038/s41591-024-03130-3: (2024)

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Abstract

Outbreaks of mpox have historically resulted from zoonotic spillover of clade I monkeypox virus (MPXV) in Central Africa and clade II MPXV in West Africa. In 2022, subclade IIb caused a global epidemic linked to transmission through sexual contact. Here, we describe the epidemiological and genomic features of an mpox outbreak in a mining region in the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), caused by clade I MPXV. Surveillance data collected between September 2023 and January 2024 identified 241 suspected cases. Genomic analysis demonstrates a distinct clade I lineage divergent from previously circulating strains in the DRC. Of the 108 PCR-confirmed mpox cases, the median age of individuals was 22 years, 51.9% were female, and 29% were sex workers, suggesting a potential role for sexual transmission. The predominance of APOBEC3-type mutations and the estimated emergence time around mid-September 2023 imply recent sustained human-to-human transmission.

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Citation: Vakaniaki EH, Kacita C, Kinganda-Lusamaki E, O'Toole Á, Wawina-Bokalanga T, Mukadi-Bamuleka D, Amuri-Aziza A, Malyamungu-Bubala N, Mweshi-Kumbana F, Mutimbwa-Mambo L, Belesi-Siangoli F, Mujula Y, Parker E, Muswamba-Kayembe PC, Nundu SS, Lushima RS, Makangara-Cigolo JC, Mulopo-Mukanya N, Pukuta-Simbu E, Akil-Bandali P, Kavunga H, Abdramane O, Brosius I, Bangwen E, Vercauteren K, Sam-Agudu NA, Mills EJ, Tshiani-Mbaya O, Hoff NA, Rimoin AW, Hensley LE, Kindrachuk J, Baxter C, de Oliveira T, Ayouba A, Peeters M, Delaporte E, Ahuka-Mundeke S, Mohr EL, Sullivan NJ, Muyembe-Tamfum JJ, Nachega JB, Rambaut A, Liesenborghs L, Mbala-Kingebeni P. Sustained Human Outbreak of a New MPXV Clade I Lineage in the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo Nature Medicine,doi: 10.1038/s41591-024-03130-3: (2024).