China reports new subvariant of monkeypox

Chinese health authorities announced on Thursday the detection of a new subvariant of monkeypox as the viral infection spreads to more countries, following the World Health Organization's (WHO) declaration of a global public health emergency last year.

The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported an outbreak of the subvariant which originated with a foreign national who had traveled to and stayed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The center identified four additional cases of individuals who had close contact with the initial patient. Symptoms among those affected are mild and include a rash and blisters.

Monkeypox is transmitted through close contact and causes symptoms similar to influenza, as well as pus-filled lesions. While the disease is typically mild, it can be fatal in rare instances.

In August of last year, the WHO declared a global public health emergency for the second time in two years due to monkeypox, prompted by outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and its neighboring countries.