U.S. health officials have reported a cluster of mpox cases caused by a tecovirimat-resistant variant in five states. The cases affected 18 individuals infected with the mpox clade II variant between October 2023 and February 2024. Notably, these individuals never received tecovirimat treatment before. Previously, drug-resistant mpox cases were identified in California between late 2022 and early 2023.
According to health officials, not all recent mpox cases have undergone genetic sequencing to confirm the specific variant responsible for the infections. The CDC has recommended that doctors adhere to established protocols for tecovirimat use. In light of the newly reported resistant cases, experts are calling for routine surveillance to track the emergence of drug-resistant mpox and safeguard tecovirimat's effectiveness. Additionally, they stressed the urgent need for alternative…
