Chinese health authorities have identified a new mutated strain of mpox, known as clade Ib, as the viral infection continues to spread internationally. The discovery comes amid rising concerns following the World Health Organization's (WHO) declaration of mpox as a global public health emergency last year.

The Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported a cluster outbreak of the Ib subclade, originating from a foreign national with a history of travel and residence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Four additional cases were identified in individuals who had close contact with the initial patient. Symptoms reported include mild skin rashes and blisters.

Mpox, a viral infection spread through close contact, typically causes flu-like symptoms and pus-filled skin lesions. While the disease is usually mild, it can be fatal in rare cases.

The WHO first raised global alarms in August 2022 after an outbreak in the DRC spread to neighboring countries, including Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda. The initial outbreak involved the endemic clade I strain, but the newly detected clade Ib variant is believed to spread more easily through routine close contact, including sexual transmission.

China's health authorities have heightened monitoring efforts, implementing measures to track individuals and goods entering the country. The National Health Commission has classified mpox as a Category B infectious disease, allowing officials to take emergency actions such as restricting public gatherings, suspending work and schools, and imposing lockdowns in affected areas.

The WHO continues to urge countries to remain vigilant, emphasizing the need for coordinated efforts to prevent further spread of the virus.