New mutating mpox strain speeds up transmission 

LONDON/CHICAGO: Scientists have warned that a rapidly evolving strain of mpox, clade Ib, originating in the Democratic Republic of Congo, is mutating faster than previously anticipated and causing increased transmission, besides hampering efforts to curtail its spread. 
This mpox variant has also drawn the attention of the World Health Organization (WHO), prompting a new health emergency declaration.
Clade Ib, a mutated form of clade I, has been linked to over 18,000 suspected cases and 615 deaths in Congo this year alone. The strain has also spread to several African nations, besides Sweden, and Thailand. Experts are concerned as mpox, typically known for flu-like symptoms and skin lesions, is now spreading more swiftly due to its new mutations.
Dr. Dimie Ogoina from Niger Delta University Hospital expresses concerns about insufficient resources and a limited understanding of the virus's transmission dynamics, which complicates management efforts. The mutation, driven by a signature known as APOBEC3, is causing clade Ib to evolve more rapidly than past strains.
The rapid evolution of the virus and the concurrent outbreaks of different mpox strains are intensifying the challenges for health authorities. 
The WHO reports that clade Ib is primarily transmitted through close contact, including sexual transmission, complicating control measures.
Healthcare systems in affected regions are struggling with limited diagnostic capabilities and resources. Efforts to understand and contain the outbreak are hindered by logistical issues such as a shortage of essential testing supplies and community displacement due to ongoing conflicts.
As the situation develops, scientists and health officials are stressing the need for increased funding, improved diagnostic tools, and effective vaccination strategies to combat the spread of mpox variants.