Health officials have reported the first potential cases of in-country transmission of a severe strain of mpox in the U.S. Following a series of previously documented cases involving only international travelers, two confirmed cases of clade I mpox have emerged from California’s Los Angeles County.
The initial case was identified in a resident of Long Beach, where health authorities detected the first infection of this particular strain. Shortly thereafter, Los Angeles officials announced a second similar case. While both individuals required hospitalization, they are currently recovering and isolating at home. Investigators from Long Beach have noted the absence of identified connections to recent travel abroad, which complicates the understanding of how the virus may be spreading locally.
The previous cases of mpox had all been linked to international travel, with six such instances recorded in the U.S. since 2024. Clade I mpox has been identified as more severe than the more common clade II variant, which had previously caused an international health crisis in 2022. Symptoms of clade I can be more dangerous, ranging from fever and body aches to more severe skin lesions, affecting various parts of the body. The mortality rate for clade I ranges between 1% and 10%, a stark contrast to the considerably lower rates associated with clade II.
Despite the emergence of these new cases, public health experts maintain that the general risk to the community remains low and stress the effectiveness of available vaccines in combating the virus. Health authorities continue to encourage vaccination, especially among individuals identified as close contacts of those infected.
Mpox, which was rebranded from monkeypox in 2022 to eliminate stigmatizing connotations, poses a greater risk of spreading in various forms, including through sexual contact. Although there have been calls for vigilance, the recent identification of cases has prompted renewed discussion on the importance of monitoring and public health preparedness.
The situation underscores the ongoing challenges posed by diseases that can mutate and spread, reflecting a need for continued research and public health efforts to mitigate the impact of such health threats. As advancements in vaccine distribution and public awareness grow, there remains an optimistic view that outbreaks can be contained effectively, preventing further transmission of the virus in the community.