May, 2025 – Ede, Nigeria
A new study published in Nature has uncovered important insights into the Mpox virus, revealing how it has spread across West Africa. The study provides a detailed look at the virus’s origins, transmission patterns, and implications for public health.
For years, the Mpox virus (MPXV) remained underreported, with outbreaks largely unnoticed in the background. A team of researchers from the Institute of Genomics and Global Health (IGH) at Redeemer’s University, in collaboration with the Africa CDC, Nigerian CDC, Centre Pasteur du Cameroun, Scripps Research, the University of Edinburgh, and the Broad Institute, has conducted this major study to shed light on these previously underexplored transmission dynamics.
At the core of the study is the largest-ever collection of Mpox virus genomes—118 samples—offering new insights into how the virus circulates in animal populations and spreads to humans, triggering outbreaks. The study confirms that Mpox has been circulating in West Africa for years, with both zoonotic spillover (from animals to humans) and sustained human transmission driving ongoing outbreaks in the region.
Key Findings of the Study
The findings of this study trace the origins of the Mpox virus, confirming that Clade IIb of MPXV, the strain responsible for the majority of West African cases, is endemic to the region. Researchers found that while zoonotic transmission is predominant in Cameroon, human-to-human transmission has become the primary mode of spread in Nigeria. Zoonotic MPXV lineages have historically circulated in the Nigeria-Cameroon border region, originating from a shared animal reservoir.
The study also reveals that MPXV emerged in humans in southern Nigeria in 2014, circulating undetected for three years before being officially recognized in 2017. Southern Nigeria remains the primary source of viral spread, with persistent transmission chains underscoring the need for enhanced surveillance and targeted public health interventions to manage and mitigate the virus.
A Call to Action
The findings of this study carry significant implications for public health in Africa and beyond. The study emphasizes the importance of strengthening wildlife surveillance, particularly in forested areas of Nigeria and Cameroon, where animal reservoirs of the virus persist. Additionally, the study highlights the need for robust diagnostic infrastructure to enable early detection of Mpox before it can spread. Enhanced genomic surveillance and rapid response mechanisms will be crucial in containing the virus and preventing further transmission.
Empowering Regional Scientists for Global Impact
One of the study’s key outcomes is the capacity-building initiative led by IGH. Over a four-week training program, more than 20 African scientists were equipped with advanced skills in metagenomic sequencing and bioinformatics. This initiative empowers African scientists to analyze their own data and enhance the region’s ability to respond to future infectious disease outbreaks. This landmark study was part of a Pan-African genomic surveillance initiative.
Read the full study in Nature: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09128-2