United States’ First Known Case of More Severe Strain of Mpox Confirmed in California

The U.S. confirmed its first case of clade I mpox, a more severe strain, in California, linked to recent travel from Eastern Africa. While the public risk remains low, the CDC and state officials are monitoring and tracing contacts. Clade I, historically causing higher mortality rates (3%-11%), has shown reduced severity in recent outbreaks, with deaths under 1% when patients receive appropriate care. This emphasizes the importance of strong healthcare systems.

 

The WHO notes rising cases in Africa, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, and Uganda. Preventative measures include vaccination and avoiding contact with symptomatic individuals or contaminated materials. Read more from CNN here.