First imported cases of MPXV Clade Ib from Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Daniel Mukadi-Bamuleka; Eddy Kinganda-Lusamaki; Noella Mulopo-Mukanya; Adrienne Amuri-Aziza; Áine O’Toole; Sydney Merritt; Brigitte Modadra-Madakpa; Guy Mutombo-Ndongala; Emmanuel Hasivirwe Vakaniaki; Cris Kacita; Gaston Lubambo Maboko; Jean Claude Makangara-Cigolo; Michel Ngimba; Emmanuel Lokilo-Lofiko; Elisabeth Pukuta-Simbu; Gradi Luakanda-Ndelemo; Tavia Bodisa-Matamu; Zephanie Paluku-Kalimuli; Prince Akil-Bandali; Sifa Kavira-Bapitani; Daan Jansen; Adèle Kavira-Kamaliro; Emile Muhindo-Milonde; Jeriel Mufungizi; Yves Birindwa-Hamisi; Hugo Kavunga; Olivier Tshiani; Sabin Sabiti Nundu; Laurens Liesenborghs; Nicole A. Hoff; Megan Halbrook; Robert Shongo; Ahidjo Ayouba; Genay Pilarowski; Alain Kakule Mangolopa; Amos Kiuka Ebondo; Nicola Low; Souradet Y. Shaw; Sam Wilkinson; Sofonias Kifle Tessema; Lorenzo Subissi; Eric Delaporte; Koen Vercauteren; Tony Wawina-Bokalanga; Anne W. Rimoin; Lisa E. Hensley; Martine Peeters; Nicholas Loman; Andrew Rambaut; Jean Jacques Muyembe-Tamfum; Jason Kindrachuk; Placide Mbala-Kingebeni; Steve Ahuka-Mundeke

doi:10.1038/s43856-025-01203-z

First imported cases of MPXV Clade Ib from Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Daniel Mukadi-Bamuleka^*, Eddy Kinganda-Lusamaki, Noella Mulopo-Mukanya, Adrienne Amuri-Aziza, Áine O’Toole, Sydney Merritt, Brigitte Modadra-Madakpa, Guy Mutombo-Ndongala, Emmanuel Hasivirwe Vakaniaki, Cris Kacita, Gaston Lubambo Maboko, Jean Claude Makangara-Cigolo, Michel Ngimba, Emmanuel Lokilo-Lofiko, Elisabeth Pukuta-Simbu, Gradi Luakanda-Ndelemo, Tavia Bodisa-Matamu, Zephanie Paluku-Kalimuli, Prince Akil-Bandali, Sifa Kavira-BapitaniDaan Jansen, Adèle Kavira-Kamaliro, Emile Muhindo-Milonde, Jeriel Mufungizi, Yves Birindwa-Hamisi, Hugo Kavunga, Olivier Tshiani, Sabin Sabiti Nundu, Laurens Liesenborghs, Nicole A. Hoff, Megan Halbrook, Robert Shongo, Ahidjo Ayouba, Genay Pilarowski, Alain Kakule Mangolopa, Amos Kiuka Ebondo, Nicola Low, Souradet Y. Shaw, Sam Wilkinson, Sofonias Kifle Tessema, Lorenzo Subissi, Eric Delaporte, Koen Vercauteren, Tony Wawina-Bokalanga, Anne W. Rimoin, Lisa E. Hensley, Martine Peeters, Nicholas Loman, Andrew Rambaut, Jean Jacques Muyembe-Tamfum, Jason Kindrachuk^*, Placide Mbala-Kingebeni^*, Steve Ahuka-Mundeke

^*Corresponding author for this work

School of Biological Sciences

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Background: The ongoing mpox outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) resulted in >71,000 suspected cases from 01 January 2024 to 02 February 2025. Clade Ib mpox virus (MPXV) emergence has heightened public health concern due to observed sustained human-human transmission and spread to multiple non-endemic East African countries. Clade Ib outbreaks have been marked by epidemiologic deviations from classic Clade Ia zoonotic transmission—Clade Ib instead has been observed among adult populations and transmission via sexual contact. With the continued expansion of Clade Ib across the region, containment and mitigation measures may need to be adapted to best fit this novel MPXV clade. Methods: Case investigation and epidemiological assessment data as well as whole viral geonome sequencing was analyzed from confirmed mpox infected individuals in the Goma region. Case demographics and clinical presentation data was also assessed from suspected mpox cases in the region. Results: We report the first introduction of Clade Ib into North Kivu province through close contact transmission. We also report limited human-human Clade Ib transmission chains among children <15 years in the Mudja internal displaced persons camp. We further present evidence of APOBEC3 mutations and genomic links between these North Kivu cases with the larger ongoing Clade Ib outbreak in Kamituga, South Kivu. Conclusions: Given the expansion of regional mpox outbreaks and populations considered at-risk, these findings underscore how mpox case investigations and community messaging should include considerations for non-sexual human-human transmission of Clade Ib that includes children <15 years.

Original language	English
Article number	496
Number of pages	9
Journal	Communications Medicine
Volume	5
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1038/s43856-025-01203-z
Publication status	Published - 25 Nov 2025

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10.1038/s43856-025-01203-z

s43856-025-01203-zFinal published version, 1.71 MBLicence: Creative Commons: Attribution (CC-BY)

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Mukadi-Bamuleka, D., Kinganda-Lusamaki, E., Mulopo-Mukanya, N., Amuri-Aziza, A., O’Toole, Á., Merritt, S., Modadra-Madakpa, B., Mutombo-Ndongala, G., Vakaniaki, E. H., Kacita, C., Maboko, G. L., Makangara-Cigolo, J. C., Ngimba, M., Lokilo-Lofiko, E., Pukuta-Simbu, E., Luakanda-Ndelemo, G., Bodisa-Matamu, T., Paluku-Kalimuli, Z., Akil-Bandali, P., ... Ahuka-Mundeke, S. (2025). First imported cases of MPXV Clade Ib from Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Communications Medicine, 5, Article 496. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43856-025-01203-z

@article{f57118d107a545e7a4a0954ed3dfb66d,

title = "First imported cases of MPXV Clade Ib from Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo",

abstract = "Background: The ongoing mpox outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) resulted in >71,000 suspected cases from 01 January 2024 to 02 February 2025. Clade Ib mpox virus (MPXV) emergence has heightened public health concern due to observed sustained human-human transmission and spread to multiple non-endemic East African countries. Clade Ib outbreaks have been marked by epidemiologic deviations from classic Clade Ia zoonotic transmission—Clade Ib instead has been observed among adult populations and transmission via sexual contact. With the continued expansion of Clade Ib across the region, containment and mitigation measures may need to be adapted to best fit this novel MPXV clade. Methods: Case investigation and epidemiological assessment data as well as whole viral geonome sequencing was analyzed from confirmed mpox infected individuals in the Goma region. Case demographics and clinical presentation data was also assessed from suspected mpox cases in the region. Results: We report the first introduction of Clade Ib into North Kivu province through close contact transmission. We also report limited human-human Clade Ib transmission chains among children <15 years in the Mudja internal displaced persons camp. We further present evidence of APOBEC3 mutations and genomic links between these North Kivu cases with the larger ongoing Clade Ib outbreak in Kamituga, South Kivu. Conclusions: Given the expansion of regional mpox outbreaks and populations considered at-risk, these findings underscore how mpox case investigations and community messaging should include considerations for non-sexual human-human transmission of Clade Ib that includes children <15 years.",

author = "Daniel Mukadi-Bamuleka and Eddy Kinganda-Lusamaki and Noella Mulopo-Mukanya and Adrienne Amuri-Aziza and {\'A}ine O{\textquoteright}Toole and Sydney Merritt and Brigitte Modadra-Madakpa and Guy Mutombo-Ndongala and Vakaniaki, \{Emmanuel Hasivirwe\} and Cris Kacita and Maboko, \{Gaston Lubambo\} and Makangara-Cigolo, \{Jean Claude\} and Michel Ngimba and Emmanuel Lokilo-Lofiko and Elisabeth Pukuta-Simbu and Gradi Luakanda-Ndelemo and Tavia Bodisa-Matamu and Zephanie Paluku-Kalimuli and Prince Akil-Bandali and Sifa Kavira-Bapitani and Daan Jansen and Ad{\`e}le Kavira-Kamaliro and Emile Muhindo-Milonde and Jeriel Mufungizi and Yves Birindwa-Hamisi and Hugo Kavunga and Olivier Tshiani and Nundu, \{Sabin Sabiti\} and Laurens Liesenborghs and Hoff, \{Nicole A.\} and Megan Halbrook and Robert Shongo and Ahidjo Ayouba and Genay Pilarowski and Mangolopa, \{Alain Kakule\} and Ebondo, \{Amos Kiuka\} and Nicola Low and Shaw, \{Souradet Y.\} and Sam Wilkinson and Tessema, \{Sofonias Kifle\} and Lorenzo Subissi and Eric Delaporte and Koen Vercauteren and Tony Wawina-Bokalanga and Rimoin, \{Anne W.\} and Hensley, \{Lisa E.\} and Martine Peeters and Nicholas Loman and Andrew Rambaut and Muyembe-Tamfum, \{Jean Jacques\} and Jason Kindrachuk and Placide Mbala-Kingebeni and Steve Ahuka-Mundeke",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} The Author(s) 2025.",

year = "2025",

month = nov,

day = "25",

doi = "10.1038/s43856-025-01203-z",

language = "English",

volume = "5",

journal = "Communications Medicine",

issn = "2730-664X",

publisher = "Springer Nature",

}

Mukadi-Bamuleka, D, Kinganda-Lusamaki, E, Mulopo-Mukanya, N, Amuri-Aziza, A, O’Toole, Á, Merritt, S, Modadra-Madakpa, B, Mutombo-Ndongala, G, Vakaniaki, EH, Kacita, C, Maboko, GL, Makangara-Cigolo, JC, Ngimba, M, Lokilo-Lofiko, E, Pukuta-Simbu, E, Luakanda-Ndelemo, G, Bodisa-Matamu, T, Paluku-Kalimuli, Z, Akil-Bandali, P, Kavira-Bapitani, S, Jansen, D, Kavira-Kamaliro, A, Muhindo-Milonde, E, Mufungizi, J, Birindwa-Hamisi, Y, Kavunga, H, Tshiani, O, Nundu, SS, Liesenborghs, L, Hoff, NA, Halbrook, M, Shongo, R, Ayouba, A, Pilarowski, G, Mangolopa, AK, Ebondo, AK, Low, N, Shaw, SY, Wilkinson, S, Tessema, SK, Subissi, L, Delaporte, E, Vercauteren, K, Wawina-Bokalanga, T, Rimoin, AW, Hensley, LE, Peeters, M, Loman, N, Rambaut, A, Muyembe-Tamfum, JJ, Kindrachuk, J, Mbala-Kingebeni, P & Ahuka-Mundeke, S 2025, 'First imported cases of MPXV Clade Ib from Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo', Communications Medicine, vol. 5, 496. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43856-025-01203-z

TY - JOUR

T1 - First imported cases of MPXV Clade Ib from Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo

AU - Mukadi-Bamuleka, Daniel

AU - Kinganda-Lusamaki, Eddy

AU - Mulopo-Mukanya, Noella

AU - Amuri-Aziza, Adrienne

AU - O’Toole, Áine

AU - Merritt, Sydney

AU - Modadra-Madakpa, Brigitte

AU - Mutombo-Ndongala, Guy

AU - Vakaniaki, Emmanuel Hasivirwe

AU - Kacita, Cris

AU - Maboko, Gaston Lubambo

AU - Makangara-Cigolo, Jean Claude

AU - Ngimba, Michel

AU - Lokilo-Lofiko, Emmanuel

AU - Pukuta-Simbu, Elisabeth

AU - Luakanda-Ndelemo, Gradi

AU - Bodisa-Matamu, Tavia

AU - Paluku-Kalimuli, Zephanie

AU - Akil-Bandali, Prince

AU - Kavira-Bapitani, Sifa

AU - Jansen, Daan

AU - Kavira-Kamaliro, Adèle

AU - Muhindo-Milonde, Emile

AU - Mufungizi, Jeriel

AU - Birindwa-Hamisi, Yves

AU - Kavunga, Hugo

AU - Tshiani, Olivier

AU - Nundu, Sabin Sabiti

AU - Liesenborghs, Laurens

AU - Hoff, Nicole A.

AU - Halbrook, Megan

AU - Shongo, Robert

AU - Ayouba, Ahidjo

AU - Pilarowski, Genay

AU - Mangolopa, Alain Kakule

AU - Ebondo, Amos Kiuka

AU - Low, Nicola

AU - Shaw, Souradet Y.

AU - Wilkinson, Sam

AU - Tessema, Sofonias Kifle

AU - Subissi, Lorenzo

AU - Delaporte, Eric

AU - Vercauteren, Koen

AU - Wawina-Bokalanga, Tony

AU - Rimoin, Anne W.

AU - Hensley, Lisa E.

AU - Peeters, Martine

AU - Loman, Nicholas

AU - Rambaut, Andrew

AU - Muyembe-Tamfum, Jean Jacques

AU - Kindrachuk, Jason

AU - Mbala-Kingebeni, Placide

AU - Ahuka-Mundeke, Steve

PY - 2025/11/25

Y1 - 2025/11/25

N2 - Background: The ongoing mpox outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) resulted in >71,000 suspected cases from 01 January 2024 to 02 February 2025. Clade Ib mpox virus (MPXV) emergence has heightened public health concern due to observed sustained human-human transmission and spread to multiple non-endemic East African countries. Clade Ib outbreaks have been marked by epidemiologic deviations from classic Clade Ia zoonotic transmission—Clade Ib instead has been observed among adult populations and transmission via sexual contact. With the continued expansion of Clade Ib across the region, containment and mitigation measures may need to be adapted to best fit this novel MPXV clade. Methods: Case investigation and epidemiological assessment data as well as whole viral geonome sequencing was analyzed from confirmed mpox infected individuals in the Goma region. Case demographics and clinical presentation data was also assessed from suspected mpox cases in the region. Results: We report the first introduction of Clade Ib into North Kivu province through close contact transmission. We also report limited human-human Clade Ib transmission chains among children <15 years in the Mudja internal displaced persons camp. We further present evidence of APOBEC3 mutations and genomic links between these North Kivu cases with the larger ongoing Clade Ib outbreak in Kamituga, South Kivu. Conclusions: Given the expansion of regional mpox outbreaks and populations considered at-risk, these findings underscore how mpox case investigations and community messaging should include considerations for non-sexual human-human transmission of Clade Ib that includes children <15 years.

AB - Background: The ongoing mpox outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) resulted in >71,000 suspected cases from 01 January 2024 to 02 February 2025. Clade Ib mpox virus (MPXV) emergence has heightened public health concern due to observed sustained human-human transmission and spread to multiple non-endemic East African countries. Clade Ib outbreaks have been marked by epidemiologic deviations from classic Clade Ia zoonotic transmission—Clade Ib instead has been observed among adult populations and transmission via sexual contact. With the continued expansion of Clade Ib across the region, containment and mitigation measures may need to be adapted to best fit this novel MPXV clade. Methods: Case investigation and epidemiological assessment data as well as whole viral geonome sequencing was analyzed from confirmed mpox infected individuals in the Goma region. Case demographics and clinical presentation data was also assessed from suspected mpox cases in the region. Results: We report the first introduction of Clade Ib into North Kivu province through close contact transmission. We also report limited human-human Clade Ib transmission chains among children <15 years in the Mudja internal displaced persons camp. We further present evidence of APOBEC3 mutations and genomic links between these North Kivu cases with the larger ongoing Clade Ib outbreak in Kamituga, South Kivu. Conclusions: Given the expansion of regional mpox outbreaks and populations considered at-risk, these findings underscore how mpox case investigations and community messaging should include considerations for non-sexual human-human transmission of Clade Ib that includes children <15 years.

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105022802592

U2 - 10.1038/s43856-025-01203-z

DO - 10.1038/s43856-025-01203-z

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:105022802592

SN - 2730-664X

VL - 5

JO - Communications Medicine

JF - Communications Medicine

M1 - 496

ER -

First imported cases of MPXV Clade Ib from Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo

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First imported cases of MPXV Clade Ib from Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo

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