The Pathophysiology of Mpox Clades I, Ib, and IIb

Abstract

On August 14, 2024, the World Health Organization director-general declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC), a consequence of increased case surge in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. However, just days after, single cases were reported in Sweden and Thailand. The current strain of mpox (Clade Ib) linked to this PHEIC has been associated with enhanced communicability and increased morbidity and mortality compared with infections with the Clade IIb strain that prompted the 2022 global public health threat. This article explores the pathophysiology of mpox, epidemiologic data related to the 2024 PHEIC, and effective vaccination prevention.