Public health officials have reported the first case of clade I mpox in the United States in a person who traveled to California.
Clade I mpox is different than clade II mpox, which has been circulating in Southern California, across the state and America since 2022.
Through lab testing, health officials confirmed the case was confirmed in an individual who recently traveled to California from Africa. According to CDPH, the case is related to the ongoing outbreak of clade I mpox in Central and East Africa.
“Historically, clade I has caused more severe illness than clade II; however, recent infections from clade I mpox may not be as clinically severe as in previous outbreaks, especially when cases have access to quality medical care,” health officials clarified.
The infected individual received treatment in San Mateo County based on their travel history and symptoms, CDPH said, adding that they are isolating at home and recovering, and that anyone who may have been in contact with the person has been notified by public health workers.
“There is no concern or evidence that mpox clade I is currently spreading between individuals in California or the United States,” health officials said.
According to the health department, it appears that clade I mpox spreads in a similar manner as clade II mpox – through close skin-to-skin contact, intimate and sexual conduct.
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