Mon Nov 11 00:00:00 UTC 2024: ## New Mpox Strain Raises Concerns as Human-to-Human Transmission Confirmed
**Chennai, India – November 11, 2024** – A new study has revealed that the oldest known variant of the mpox virus, Clade Ia, has achieved human-to-human transmission, sparking concerns among scientists. This discovery comes just two months after African nations began targeted vaccination campaigns to combat the ongoing mpox outbreak.
Previously, Clade Ia infections were limited to sporadic cases primarily affecting children, usually transmitted from animals to humans. However, a preprint study published on Virologica has identified genetic evidence indicating sustained human-to-human transmission within the current outbreak.
The researchers analyzed viral DNA sequences and identified a high frequency of mutations consistent with the action of APOBEC, a human enzyme known to introduce changes in foreign DNA. This suggests that the Clade Ia viruses observed in the outbreak have been circulating within human populations.
While the discovery is concerning, it’s unlikely to alter vaccination strategies currently being implemented in affected African countries. However, it highlights a key concern: the varying responses of different mpox clades to antiviral treatments.
The ongoing outbreak has already seen six African nations experience mpox for the first time, and a lack of vaccine doses has forced countries to prioritize their campaigns. Scientists are now looking to better understand the specific characteristics of the newly identified human-to-human transmissible Clade Ia, to ensure effective strategies for curbing the spread of the virus.
The news serves as a reminder that despite the eradication of smallpox in 1980, the fight against poxviruses remains ongoing. The emergence of new strains and the potential for human-to-human transmission underscore the need for continued vigilance and research.
First Piper 