The new Mpox variant clade Ib has been detected for the first time in Germany. The Robert Koch Institute reported the first confirmed case of the disease.
The infection took place abroad, the institution reported. The first case was discovered on Friday. Nevertheless, the Robert Koch Institute in Germany still “does not assume an increased risk,” as “Bild” reported. The situation is still being closely monitored.
Subvariant clade Ib emerging
The World Health Organization (WHO) warned weeks ago about the new subvariant of the Mpox pathogen (formerly also known as monkeypox) and declared the highest alert level. The variant has been responsible for many infections in Africa since the beginning of this year. 16,000 cases have been reported in Congo alone. It is also raging in Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda.
Mpox viruses are divided into two genetic clades. Clade II caused the global Mpox outbreak in 2022. The new subvariant Clade I is considered even more contagious and would cause more severe cases, as the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explained.
Clade Ib has probably been ruling Congo since September 2023. The WHO suspects the virus adapted to this host as it spread among humans. “This mutation means that transmission from person to person is easier than with the previous wild-type variants,” explains Johannes Bogner of the Munich clinic in a press release.
Source: Krone
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