WHO confirms new mpox variant as cases rise in Congo

The World Health Organization says a new mpox variant is circulating in the Democratic Republic of Congo as case counts continue to climb. Health officials reported 87 new infections in the country over the past week, raising concern about the pace of spread.

According to the WHO, the latest findings point to sustained human-to-human transmission, a sign that the outbreak is still active and not confined to isolated cases. The agency has been monitoring the situation as health workers in Central Africa try to track infections and limit further spread.

Mpox has remained a public health concern in the region, where access to testing, treatment and outbreak response can be limited. The new variant adds another layer of uncertainty for communities already dealing with strain on local health systems.

The WHO has not said the variant changes the overall public health response, but the report underscores the need for continued surveillance, timely diagnosis and support for affected areas. Officials are likely to keep watching whether the outbreak expands beyond current hotspots.