Mpox Variant of Increased Severity Detected in the U.S. for First Time - Key Details Revealed
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have confirmed the first known case of Clade I Mpox in the United States. The individual, who recently travelled from Africa, where Clade I is endemic, is currently isolating at home and recovering.
Clade I Mpox is known to cause more severe illness on average than the variants that spread widely in 2022. Symptoms, which appear within 21 days of exposure, typically include flu-like illness, headaches, and distinctive bumpy rashes throughout the body.
Public health workers are contacting individuals who had close contact with the infected person in California to monitor their health and provide necessary support. It's important to note that as of now, there is no evidence that Clade I Mpox is spreading between individuals in California or the United States.
Mpox has predominantly spread through sexual contact, particularly among men who have sex with men, since the 2022 outbreaks. However, recent outbreaks of Clade Ib have also involved women, particularly sex workers.
Historically, Mpox was considered a zoonotic disease, primarily spreading from animals to humans. However, the 2022 outbreaks marked a shift towards human-to-human transmission.
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared a public health emergency of international concern over Mpox earlier this April, due to rising case numbers in affected African countries. This status was lifted on September 5, 2025, after cases declined.
The fatality rate of Clade I Mpox historically reaches as high as 10%, but it's likely to drop in areas with better health care. The WHO declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern again on August 14, 2024, due to the ongoing rise in cases.
Authorities urge vigilance to track and prevent cases of Clade I Mpox from spreading further. Direct contact is the primary means of transmission, and individuals can potentially spread the infection to others several days before they feel sick, and remain contagious until their rash fully heals.
The CDPH issued a statement about the case in California on Saturday, emphasising the importance of maintaining public health measures to protect against the spread of Mpox.
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