Alarm Bells Ring in Africa Over Virulent New Mpox Strain

An electron micrograph of mpox virus particles.

Source: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Welcome to Next Africa, a twice-weekly newsletter on where the continent stands now — and where it’s headed. Sign up here to have it delivered to your email.

A mutated strain of the virus that causes mpox has been detected in at least six African countries, and fears are mounting that the cases could be but the beginnings of a continent-wide outbreak of the disease.