‘Biggest ever outbreak’ of lethal mpox strain poses ‘global threat’, health officials warn

A NEW deadlier mpox strain is spreading in Africa and poses a “global threat”, health officials have warned.

A surge in cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) “raises concerns” that the virus could jump to other countries.

The clade I strain detected in the DRC causes more severe illness and deaths than the clade II virus that triggered a global outbreak in 2022.

Since 2023, the DRC has recorded an “unprecedented number” of suspected Clade I virus cases...