Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox), a virus that has long been endemic in parts of Africa, is now the focus of global concern following a surge in cases and the WHO’s declaration of mpox as a “Public Health Emergency of International Concern.” The new strain of mpox that has emerged is reportedly more easily transmitted in a wider range of ways, including through close physical contact, sexual contact and through respiratory secretions. It has also affected a broader demographic of people than the 2022 outbreak, with men, women and children being affected, and children younger than 15 years accounting for the majority of reported cases and deaths in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The urgency for robust surveillance and early detection of disease has never been greater, and Africa’s health systems are at a critical juncture. The lessons learned from past outbreaks, particularly COVID-19, must be applied to prevent mpox from becoming a greater threat to global health.

There are two clades of the mpox virus, clade I and clade II, both with subclades “a” and “b”. The clade a virus belongs to defines how it is spread, how virulent it is and therefore the appropriate public health measures. While clade II spread globally during an outbreak in 2022, clade I has been circulating in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for over a decade. Recently, there has been an increase in cases of clade Ib in Eastern and Central Africa, and the emergence of clade 1b globally which has added a layer of complexity to the current outbreak.

Data sharing emerged as a crucial tool during the COVID-19 pandemic, enabling countries to track SARS-CoV-2’s spread, understand its mutations, and respond more effectively. The same principles apply to the current mpox outbreak. Accurate and timely data sharing allows for better monitoring of the virus, helping to identify hotspots and track the evolution of the virus. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Hyrax Biosciences made a significant contribution with its Exatype platform, which facilitated rapid and accurate data analysis of nearly half of the SARS-CoV-2 genomes sequenced in Africa, enhancing genomic surveillance across the continent.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been notable advancements in disease outbreak tracking, particularly in lab capacity and expertise. Training programs, such as those led by the Africa CDC, have equipped many African countries with the skills needed for effective genomic surveillance. These developments are crucial for tracking viruses such as mpox. However, as Africa experiences a disproportionate share of the infectious disease burden, it faces significant challenges to wide-spread genomic surveillance and pandemic preparedness, and there is still much to be done to address the shortage of laboratory resources and technical expertise. Access to online bioinformatics software with no expensive set-up costs or training required, goes some way in helping to counterbalance the costs and requirements of surveillance.

The resurgence of mpox, particularly with the emergence of new clades, underscores the need for early action, robust surveillance, and global collaboration. Hyrax Biosciences is well-positioned to assist with the current mpox public health emergency, leveraging expertise in genomic analysis through the Exatype platform, to help identify and track the spread of different mpox clades. By continuing to build on the progress made since COVID-19, Africa can better manage mpox and prevent it from becoming a global health crisis.