December Updates:

CDC Issues Health Advisory on Human-to-Human Transmission of Monkeypox Virus with Geographic Spread in Democratic Republic of the Congo
On December 7, CDC recently issued a health advisory to notify clinicians and health departments about the occurrence, geographic spread, and sexually associated human-to-human transmission of Clade I Monkeypox Virus (MPXV) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). MPXV has two distinct genetic clades (subtypes), and cases of Clade I MPXV have not been reported in the United States at this time. A clade is a broad grouping of viruses that has evolved over decades and is a genetic and clinically distinct group. However, clinicians should be aware of the possibility of Clade I MPXV in travelers who have been in DRC. Clinicians should notify their state health department if they have a patient with mpox-like symptoms, which may include a diffuse rash and lymphadenopathy, and recent travel to DRC. Clinicians should also submit lesion specimens for clade-specific testing for these patients.



​Respiratory Illness Data Indicate Elevated Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and COVID-19 Activity
CDC’s Weekly Viral Respiratory Illness Snapshot on November 27 highlights key viral respiratory illness findings for COVID-19, influenza, and RSV from the past week. In addition, two new posts discuss COVID-19 vaccine uptake and the SARS-CoV-2 Variant BA.2.86. The most recent summary of respiratory virus activity levels indicates that the United States is experiencing elevated respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) activity, particularly among young children, and COVID-19 activity remains elevated. RSV test positivity has exceeded COVID-19 test positivity. In addition, influenza activity continues to increase in most of the country, with hospital emergency department use for influenza approaching the level observed for COVID-19. According to CDC’s November 27 weekly FluView report, flu activity is increasing most noticeably in the South Central, Southeast, Mountain, and West Coast regions. Outpatient respiratory illness is above baseline nationally for the third week and is at or above baseline in seven of 10 HHS Regions. The number of weekly flu hospital admissions continues to increase, and the CDC estimates that there have been at least 1.2 million illnesses, 12,000 hospitalizations, and 740 deaths from flu so far this season.