U.S. Preparedness and Response to Increasing Clade I Mpox Cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo — United States, 2024

• DOI: 10.15585/mmwr.mm7319a3
• Publication Date: 2024-05-16T15:10:22Z
• Authors: Jennifer H. McQui...; Richard Luce; Dieudonne Mwamba ...; Christian Ngandu ...; Placide Mbala-Kin...; Mark Anderson; Joanna M. Prasher; Ian T. Williams; Amelia Phan; Victoria Shelus; Anna Bratcher; Gnakub Norbert Soke; Peter N. Fonjungo; Joelle Kabamba; Andrea M. McCollum; Robert Perry; Agam K. Rao; Jeff Doty; Bryan Christensen; James A. Fuller; Nicolle Baird; Jasmine Chaitram; Christopher K. Brown; Amy E. Kirby; David Fitter; Jennifer M. Folster; Mushtaq Dualeh; Regan Hartman; Stephen M. Bart; Christine M. Hughes; Yoshinori Nakazawa; Emily Sims; ; Athalia Christie; Christina L. Hutson
• Keywords: Democratic Republic of the Congo; Humans; Full Report; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.; Monkeypox virus; United States; Mpox (monkeypox); Disease Outbreaks

Clade I monkeypox virus (MPXV), which can cause severe illness in more people than clade II MPXVs, is endemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), but the country has experienced an increase in suspected cases during 2023-2024. In light of the 2022 global outbreak of clade II mpox, the increase in suspected clade I cases in DRC raises concerns that the virus could spread to other countries and underscores the importance of coordinated, urgent global action to support DRC's efforts to contain the virus. To date, no cases of clade I mpox have been detected outside of countries in Central Africa where the virus is endemic. CDC and other partners are working to support DRC's response. In addition, CDC is enhancing U.S. preparedness by raising awareness, strengthening surveillance, expanding diagnostic testing capacity for clade I MPXV, ensuring appropriate specimen handling and waste management, emphasizing the importance of appropriate medical treatment, and communicating guidance on the recommended contact tracing, containment, behavior modification, and vaccination strategies.