PAHO calls on countries of the Americas to maintain Mpox surveillance and genomic sequencing – PAHO/WHO

Washington DC, November 26, 2024 (PAHO) – The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) continues to urge countries in the Americas to maintain mpox surveillance, including laboratory detection and genomic sequencing of confirmed cases , after the detection of a case of the Clade I. variant for the first time in the Region, in the United States of America.

In an epidemiological alert, issued by the Organization, countries are recommended to remain alert and “continue their surveillance efforts, with special emphasis on high-risk groups.”

The Clade I case was reported by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on November 16, 2024. The individual had a history of recent travel to East Africa and was treated shortly after arrival to the United States. Health authorities are working to identify and follow up on possible contacts. To date, no more cases of clade I have been detected in the Region.

Between January 2022 and October 31, 2024, 115,101 confirmed cases of mpox, including 255 deaths, were reported in 123 World Health Organization (WHO) Member States.

On August 14, 2024, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus determined that an increase in mpox due to clade Ib in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and a growing number of countries in Africa constitutes a public health emergency of international concern. (ESPII).

In the Americas, the highest number of mox cases was recorded during 2022, peaking in August 2022. This was followed by a progressive decline in cases that has continued throughout 2023 and 2024. All cases in the Americas, except the recent imported case of Clade Ib, were due to Clade II.

Mpox is a zoonotic viral disease caused by the mpox virus, a member of the Orthopoxvirus genus. There are two different clades: clade I and clade II. Symptoms include fever, severe headache, muscle aches, back pain, lack of energy, swollen lymph nodes, and skin rash or mucosal lesions. The rash tends to be concentrated on the face, palms of the hands, and soles of the feet, but can also be found in the mouth, anogenital region, and eyes. Symptoms usually last 2 to 4 weeks and go away on their own without treatment.

In the alert, PAHO reminds all Member States to continue surveillance efforts to characterize the situation and respond quickly in the event of an introduction of the Clade Impox virus.

Efforts should focus on early detection and diagnosis, isolation and contact tracing. While vaccination can help prevent infection in people at risk, “mass vaccination against mpox in the population is not required or recommended.”