title: Human monkeypox outbreak caused by novel virus belonging to Congo Basin clade, Sudan, 2005.
abstract: To determine the outbreak source of monkeypox virus (MPXV) infections in Unity State, Sudan, in November 2005, we conducted a retrospective investigation. MPXV was identified in a sub-Sahelian savannah environment. Three case notification categories were used: suspected, probable, and confirmed. Molecular, virologic, and serologic assays were used to test blood specimens, vesicular swabs, and crust specimens obtained from symptomatic and recovering persons. Ten laboratory-confirmed cases and 9 probable cases of MPXV were reported during September-December 2005; no deaths occurred. Human-to-human transmission up to 5 generations was described. Our investigation could not fully determine the source of the outbreak. Preliminary data indicate that the MPXV strain isolated during this outbreak was a novel virus belonging to the Congo Basin clade. Our results indicate that MPXV should be considered endemic to the wetland areas of Unity State. This finding will enhance understanding of the ecologic niche for this virus.
authors.affiliation: World Health Organization Global Alert and Response, Geneva, Switzerland. formentyp@who.int
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Formenty
authors.forename: Mohammed O
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Muntasir
authors.forename: Inger
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Damon
authors.forename: Vipul
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Chowdhary
authors.forename: Martin L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Opoka
authors.forename: Charlotte
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Monimart
authors.forename: Elmangory M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Mutasim
authors.forename: Jean Claude
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Manuguerra
authors.forename: Whitni B
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Davidson
authors.forename: Kevin L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Karem
authors.forename: Jeanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cabeza
authors.forename: Sharlenna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Mamunur R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Malik
authors.forename: Thierry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Durand
authors.forename: Abdalhalim
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Khalid
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rioton
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kuong-Ruay
authors.forename: Alimagboul A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Babiker
authors.forename: Mubarak E M
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Karsani
authors.forename: Magdi S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Abdalla
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003223:Congo; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D045908:Mpox, Monkeypox / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000635:transmission / Q000821:virology; D008993:Monkeypox virus / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D013397:Sudan / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M