U.S. prepares for a more severe variant of Mpox as cases rise

In light of the recent surge of mpox cases, particularly the clade 1 variant, in the Democratic Republic of Congo and other African nations, senior officials from the Biden administration have expressed serious concerns about its potential arrival in the United States. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported over 24,800 cases of clade 1 in 2023, leading to the declaration of a global health emergency in August.

The Severity of Clade 1 and Global Response

The clade 1 variant of mpox has demonstrated a higher lethality compared to its clade 2 counterpart, with the potential to claim the lives of up to 10% of those infected. Recent statistics, however, indicate that the death rate has fluctuated between 1% to 3.3%, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The severity of this variant prompted the WHO to declare the outbreak as a global health emergency, underscoring the urgent need for countries worldwide to bolster their preparedness and response mechanisms.

The United States government has been proactive in its approach, gearing up for the possible arrival of clade 1. Officials revealed that, particularly in light of the accelerating outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and neighboring countries, the U.S. has been enhancing its surveillance efforts, notably through wastewater analysis. Additionally, outreach to the medical community has been prioritized, focusing on educating healthcare professionals about the characteristics and transmission of clade 1.

Testing and Vaccination Efforts

To ensure swift identification of potential cases, the U.S. is expanding testing availability for mpox. Healthcare providers across the nation can order mpox tests that can be processed at national laboratories. In the event of a positive test, the variant can be further analyzed for clade 2. If tested negative for clade 2, a presumptive diagnosis of clade 1 can be made, pending official confirmation by the CDC.

In terms of vaccination efforts, the Jynneos mpox vaccine, administered in two doses, has proven effective against both clade 1 and clade 2. Currently, the CDC's vaccine recommendation is limited to individuals at high risk of exposure, particularly gay and bisexual men. Notably, those with health insurance can access the vaccine at major pharmacy retail chains, including CVS and Walgreens. Moreover, vaccines are available free of charge at public health departments and community health centers.