Chinese health officials have identified a new mutated strain of mpox, clade Ib, in a foreigner who travelled to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

China has detected the new mutated strain of the mpox virus for the first time, as the pathogen spreads to more geographies after the World Health Organization declared the outbreak in Africa a new global health emergency last year.

Mpox is an infectious disease that causes flu-like symptoms with pus-filled lesions on the body. A painful rash, enlarged lymph nodes, fever, headache, muscle ache, back pain and low energy are a few symptoms of mpox. These symptoms are usually mild but can be fatal in rare cases.

France has detected its first case of a new mpox virus, the health ministry said Monday, weeks after the World Health Organization maintained its highest alert level amid the epidemic.

Chinese health authorities said on Thursday they had detected the new mutated mpox strain clade Ib as the viral infection spreads to more countries after the World Health Organization declared a global public health emergency last year.

The Chinese government on Thursday said it recorded five cases of a new Mpox strain, stating that the outbreak has been effectively handled. DAILY POST reports that Mpox is caused by a virus transmitted to humans by animals but can also spread from person to person through close physical contact,

Mpox spreads through close contact with infected people and causes flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions on the body. The symptoms can last 2-4 weeks, accompanied by fever, headache, muscle aches,