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A team of experts has issued a warning about a newly identified and highly dangerous strain of mpox, formerly called monkeypox, which is swiftly spreading throughout Central Africa. The mutant variant, known as clade 1b, has alarmed health professionals with its potential to escalate into a global health crisis.

Professor Trudie Lang, director of the Global Health Network at Oxford University, said that the mutant variant known as clade 1b is "undoubtedly the most dangerous strain of mpox yet."

First detected in February in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), clade 1b of the virus behaves markedly differently from its predecessors, clades 1 and 2, which gained international attention primarily among gay men in 2022. Unlike previous strains, this variant does not necessitate sexual contact for transmission.

In a virtual briefing on Tuesday, researchers confirmed that clade 1b spreads through direct physical contact, a development described as "incredibly concerning" by Prof. Lang. Transmission routes now include mother-to-child transmission, as well as occurrences in educational institutions and workplaces.

The clinical presentation of the disease is also distinct from earlier strains, causing widespread blistering and lesions across the body, rather than being localized to the genital area. Reports indicate an alarming incidence of miscarriages among young women and an estimated fatality rate of 5 to 10 percent among adults and children.

"It's causing extreme danger in terms of disease severity," rsaid Leandre Murhula Masirika, leading the research efforts in the DRC.

According to the Telegraph, the virus has already spread beyond the DRC's borders into neighboring African countries such as Rwanda, Burundi, and Uganda, with concerns mounting over its potential global dissemination akin to clade 2 of the virus.

Although cases have been reported predominantly in the DRC, experts caution that porous borders and population movement, including among sex workers, heighten the risk of further spread. The city of Goma, a hub with extensive international connections, has already reported a significant outbreak.

Responding to queries about international readiness, John Claude Udahemuaka, a researcher at the University of Rwanda, noted the need for global preparedness.

"There are no controls on the borders and people with lesions can go outside the DRC and easily spread this infection," he warned.

Current efforts to contain the outbreak include discussions among the World Health Organization, Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), and governments of affected countries to secure vaccines. However, uncertainties persist regarding the effectiveness of existing smallpox vaccines against clade 1b.

The origins of the mutation remain unclear, although initial reports link the outbreak to a traveler from another region of the DRC who interacted with multiple sex workers in Kamituga, where the virus was first identified.