Page:Interim Staff Report on Investigation into Risky MPXV Experiment at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.pdf/38

The Honorable Cathy McMorris Rodgers

Page 4 The mpox virus causes significant disease and death in the regions in which it is endemic, with an increasing incidence of human infections. Even prior to the ongoing global outbreak of mpox in non-endemic countries, this virus was identified by NIAID and others as an important global health threat in light of sporadic outbreaks associated with international travel. NIAID is conducting and supporting research focused on developing and evaluating treatments and vaccines for mpox, understanding disease transmission and spillover, evaluating immunological characteristics of mpox, and bolstering support for the ongoing public health response. However, NIAID is not supporting research that would include experiments to replace genes in the less virulent Clade IIa virus with those in the more virulent Clade I virus, and there are currently no plans to do so.

Thank you for your interest in NIH’s mpox virus research. NIAID and NIH prioritize robust biosafety and biosecurity in intramural research. If you or your staff have any questions, please feel free to contact the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Legislation at (202) 690-7627.