Monkeypox: New dangerous strain gains ability to spread through sex

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A more dangerous strain of the monkeypox virus can now spread through sex, raising fears of a global outbreak.

Artificially coloured Monkeypox virus particles. (Photo: UK Health Security Agency/Science Photo Library)

New Delhi,UPDATED: Apr 25, 2024 17:46 IST

New data has raised alarms among researchers as it suggests that a more virulent strain of the monkeypox virus has gained the ability to spread through sex.

This has sparked concerns of a potential global outbreak akin to the one experienced in 2022. This strain, identified as clade I, has historically been associated with sporadic outbreaks in Central Africa, typically confined to small households or communities.

However, a recent development has seen clade I linked to a cluster of infections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), marking a significant shift in its transmission dynamics.

Adding to the complexity of the situation is the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region, compounded by the spread of other diseases such as cholera.

Experts, including Anne Rimoin from the University of California, Los Angeles, warn of the potential for the outbreak to escalate beyond its current confines.

Monkeypox, characterised by painful, fluid-filled lesions on the skin and, in severe cases, death, continues to pose a significant threat, particularly in regions like the DRC where the virus persists in wild animals.

The outbreak in 2017 in Nigeria, which marked the first instance of human-to-human transmission, raised concerns about the virus's adaptability to spread through sexual contact.

Despite warnings, the global outbreak in 2022 driven partially by sexual contact highlighted the urgency of addressing the threat posed by monkeypox.

Efforts to contain the outbreak include initiatives to improve diagnosis and control measures, with World Health Organisation (WHO) and the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) working to provide resources and support to affected regions.

Published By:

Daphne Clarance

Published On:

Apr 25, 2024