The city of Long Beach, California, has reported the first known case of locally acquired clade 1 mpox in the United States. This case stands out as the seventh instance of clade 1 infections in the nation and is particularly notable because the affected individual has not recently traveled, which indicates a local transmission. The patient required hospitalization and is currently resting and recovering at home.
In response to this incident, public health officials are investigating the potential source of exposure and conducting thorough contact tracing efforts, although no additional cases linked to this individual have been found so far.
Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson emphasized the significance of this situation, stating, “While the overall risk of mpox clade I exposure to the public remains low, we are taking this very seriously and ensuring our community and health care partners remain vigilant so we can prevent any more cases.” He highlighted the importance of sustained vigilance, early intervention, and vaccination in combating the spread of this virus.
Historically, clade 1 of mpox has been associated with more severe illness and has predominantly been reported in regions of Central and East Africa. In contrast, clade 2 has generally resulted in milder symptoms and was implicated in the larger mpox outbreak that occurred in the United States and other areas during the 2022-2023 period, particularly affecting men who have sex with men (MSM). Symptoms of mpox can range from rashes or sores to fever, chills, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, and body aches.
The case not only underscores the necessity for public health vigilance but also highlights the ongoing global challenges of infectious disease management, particularly with viruses that can transition from endemic to epidemic status. As health officials continue their work in Long Beach, the case serves as a reminder of the importance of community awareness and response to emerging health threats.