No abstract

Here we report the first evidence of recombination of monkeypox genome in natural transmission by analyzing six tandem repeats (TRs) among 415 sequences collected between January to July 2022. The 2022 monkeypox viral population has diverged into 11 subgroups based on various TRs and their copy numbers. Here we identify 8 new recombinants (six from Slovenia, one from Australia, one from Italy). Our results indicate that the monkeypox genome is evolving and expanding quickly during the 2022 pandemic (Zeng E = -1.65, Achaz Y=-2.52, p< 0.001). We conclude that, In combination with genomic surveillance, TR analysis is a useful tool to monitor and track phylogenetic dynamics of monkeypox transmission.