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New Strain Emerges from Genetic Recombination, Maintains Moderate Risk According to WHO and Expands International Monitoring
An international impact epidemiological update was recently released by the World Health Organization.
In February 2026, the WHO confirmed the emergence of a new recombinant variant of Mpox, formed by the genetic combination of two distinct lineages of the virus.
The event occurred when two types of MPXV infected the same individual and, consequently, exchanged genetic material.
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This process is natural and is known as viral recombination.
The confirmation was possible after complete genomic sequencing, an essential technique to identify recombinant strains.
Confirmed Cases in Two Continents
Two cases have been officially documented.
The first was detected in the United Kingdom in December 2025.
The second was identified in India in January 2026.
However, the Indian sample had been collected in September 2025.
In the United Kingdom, the patient was a traveler returning from the Asia-Pacific region in October 2025.
In India, the patient had traveled to a country located in the Arabian Peninsula.
Both presented clinical manifestations similar to those observed in other clades of Mpox.
None of the cases progressed to a severe condition.
In India, the patient was hospitalized.
Still, there were no medical complications.
Subsequently, recovery was complete.
In the United Kingdom, contacts were traced.
No secondary cases were identified.
Similarly, in India, there was no confirmed additional transmission.
Technical Review Reveals Genetic Link Between Cases
Furthermore, researchers compared viral genomes and found that the two patients got sick weeks apart.
Nevertheless, analyses confirmed infection with the same recombinant strain.
The variant detected in India showed over 99.9% genetic similarity with that of the United Kingdom.
Therefore, experts point to a common evolutionary history.
The sequencing identified 34 recombinant tracts in the Indian sample.
Meanwhile, scientists found 28 tracts in the British sequence.
Among these segments, 16 appeared in both samples.
Additionally, the Indian case represents the earliest known detection of this strain.
Thus, it preceded the confirmed episode in the United Kingdom.
Initially, PCR tests classified the British case as clade Ib.
On the other hand, tests indicated clade IIb in India.
However, these isolated tests do not reliably identify recombinations.
Therefore, the WHO emphasizes the use of complete genomic sequencing.
Risk Assessment Remains Unchanged
Currently, the WHO maintains its global risk assessment unchanged.
Specifically, the organization classifies the risk as moderate for men who have sex with men with new or multiple partners.
Additionally, sex workers and people with multiple casual partners are also included in this group.
For the general population without specific factors, the risk remains low.
Given the reduced number of confirmed cases until February 2026, experts consider it premature to define transmissibility patterns.
Thus, the WHO emphasizes continuous monitoring.
Recommendations Expand Epidemiological Surveillance
Furthermore, the WHO reports that multiple strains of MPXV are circulating through interconnected sexual networks in various countries.
Consequently, coinfections, although rare, may occur.
When this happens, new recombinant strains may emerge naturally.
The transmission of this variant has already involved at least four countries across three WHO regions.
Therefore, experts believe that circulation may be broader than currently documented.
However, the origin of the strain remains unknown.
In light of this situation, the WHO recommends maintaining active epidemiological surveillance and immediate notification of unusual events.
Additionally, the entity advises performing genomic sequencing on all confirmed cases in initial outbreaks.
In contexts of community transmission, authorities should analyze at least 10% of confirmed samples.
Furthermore, the organization recommends strengthening clinical management, infection prevention, and control.
It also encourages expanding vaccination strategies against Mpox and integrating HIV/STD services.
Finally, based on the information available until February 2026, the WHO does not recommend travel or trade restrictions.
Given this data, will genomic surveillance consolidate as the main tool to monitor the evolution of this new variant of Mpox?
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