California has confirmed the first case of a new, more lethal strain of mpox in a man who recently traveled to Africa, and public health officials now want to speak with anyone who may met the person.
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The new mpox clade I strain has a higher mortality rate than the earlier clade IIb strain that caused a global outbreak in 2022 and greatly impacted gay men. The World Health Organization declared a global public health emergency over the spread of the clade I mpox strain in August after the number of cases exploded in Africa.
“The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has identified through laboratory testing the first known case of clade I mpox in the United States,” the CDPH said in a press release on Nov. 16. “This case was confirmed in an individual who recently traveled from Africa and is related to the ongoing outbreak of clade I mpox in Central and Eastern Africa.”
The CDPH continued, saying the unnamed individual was receiving care in San Mateo County immediately south of San Francisco. The CDPH did not explain how the individual might have contracted mpox, formerly known as monkeypox.
The CDPH is contacting anyone who may have encountered the individual.
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In August, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the rapid spread of the mpox clade I strain a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC), the highest alarm level under international law.
“The detection and rapid spread of a new clade of mpox in eastern DRC, its detection in neighboring countries that had not previously reported mpox, and the potential for further spread within Africa and beyond is very worrying,” general director Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a press conference called to announce the PHEIC on Aug. 14.
“In addition to other outbreaks of other clades of mpox in other parts of Africa, it’s clear that a coordinated international response is essential to stop these outbreaks and save lives.”
Sarah Reingewirtz/MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News via Getty Images
While more lethal and severe than the clade IIb strain, California officials tried to dampen public concerns about a deadly outbreak of the new clade.
“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,” the CDPH said in its press release.
Related: New mpox clade I explained
The Centers for Disease Control echoed the CDPH’s statements regarding the clade II strain.
“Historically, clade I mpox has caused more severe illness and deaths than clade II mpox,” the CDC said in a press release on Nov. 16. “However, recent data demonstrate that infections from clade I mpox in the current outbreak may not be as clinically severe as in previous outbreaks.”
The CDC recommends the following steps to avoid contracting mpox:
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