A new strain of the mpox virus, known as clade Ib, has the world's attention again. 

Faced once again with a rapidly spreading mpox epidemic, the World Health Organisation had declared an international health emergency, following a surge in cases linked to a new mpox strain in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has since spread beyond its borders.

Scientists studying the new mpox strain say the virus is changing faster than expected, and often in areas where experts lack the funding and equipment to properly track it. Questions about vaccine effectiveness and equity remain, with concerns over WHO’s regulations and when the afflicted regions can get their hands on the vaccines.

On this episode of Morning Shot, Professor Dimie Ogoina, Chair, WHO Emergency Committee regarding the upsurge of mpox 2024, and Chief Medical Director & Infectious Disease Physician at the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital shares his first-hand insights on the mpox epidemic.

Presented by: Audrey Siek
Produced & Edited by: Yeo Kai Ting (ykaiting@sph.com.sg)
Photo credits: NIAID/ Dado Ruvic/ Reuters