CDC issues health advisory for subtype of mpox virus in Congo

The CDC on Thursday issued a Health Alert Network Health Advisory to notify clinicians and health departments about the occurrence, geographic spread, and sexually associated human-to-human transmission of Clade I Monkeypox virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. “MPXV has two distinct genetic clades, and cases of Clade I MPXV have not been reported in the United States at this time. However, clinicians should be aware of the possibility of Clade I MPXV in travelers who have been in DRC. Clinicians should continue to consider mpox when evaluating the cause of rashes, the CDC said. The Fly notes that Siga Technologies (SIGA) has secured multiple contracts for its approved antiviral medication, while a test from Quest Diagnostics (DGX) can differentiate Mpox viral DNA from other non-variola orthopoxviruses in a specimen, helping to enable faster final diagnosis.