Clade I–Associated Mpox Cases Associated with Sexual Contact, the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Emile Malembi Kibungu, Emmanuel Hasivirwe Vakaniaki, Eddy Kinganda-Lusamaki, Thierry Kalonji-Mukendi, Elisabeth Pukuta, Nicole A. Hoff, Isaac I. Bogoch, Müge Çevik, Gregg Gonsalves, Lisa E. Hensley, Nicola Low, Souradet Y. Shaw, Erin Schillberg, Mikayla Hunter, Lygie Lunyanga, Sylvie Linsuke, Joule Madinga, Martine Peeters, Jean-Claude Makangara-Cigolo, Steve Ahuka‐Mundeke, Jean‐Jacques Muyembe, Anne W. Rimoin, Jason Kindrachuk, Placide Mbala‐Kingebeni, Robert Shongo Lushima
Abstract
We report a cluster of clade I monkeypox virus infections linked to sexual contact in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Case investigations resulted in 5 reverse transcription PCR-confirmed infections; genome sequencing suggest they belonged to the same transmission chain. This finding demonstrates that mpox transmission through sexual contact extends beyond clade IIb.