Los Angeles County is facing an unsettling new chapter in the ongoing fight against Mpox, as health officials confirmed the first locally acquired cases of the more severe Clade I strain in the United States. The news, which broke between October 14 and 17, 2025, has put public health authorities on high alert, raising questions about the virus’s potential to spread within American communities for the first time without links to international travel.
The facts are stark. On October 14, Long Beach officials reported a resident had tested positive for Clade I Mpox—marking the first known case acquired locally in the US, with no recent travel to high-risk regions such as Central or East Africa. Just days later, on October 16 and 17, two additional cases cropped up in Los Angeles County. All three patients required hospitalization but have since recovered at home, according to statements from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and the City of Long Beach.
Until now, all previous Clade I Mpox cases in the US—six in total—were linked to travelers returning from Africa, and none were connected to each other. The emergence of three unlinked, locally acquired cases in quick succession has prompted a new level of concern. Dr. Muntu Davis, Los Angeles County’s health officer, didn’t mince words: “The identification of cases of Clade I mpox, which may cause more severe illness than the more common Clade II, is concerning. Early detection, testing and vaccination are vital to controlling the spread of this virus.”
Clade I, sometimes referred to as the Congo Basin strain, is notorious for its severity. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicate a fatality rate of up to 10%—a stark contrast to the less than 3% fatality rate associated with Clade II, the strain behind the 2022 global outbreak. Clade II has caused 63 deaths in the US since 2022 and continues to circulate at low levels, with 118 cases reported in Los Angeles County alone this year. By comparison, Clade I is not only deadlier but also spreads more readily through close personal contact, including massages, cuddling, and sexual activity.
“While the overall risk of ... exposure to the public remains low, we are taking this very seriously,” Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson said in a statement, underscoring the urgency of robust surveillance, rapid response, and broad vaccination efforts. His comments echo the broader sentiment among state and federal health officials, who are now working in concert to investigate the origins of these cases, conduct contact tracing, and prevent further transmission.
So, what does this mean for the average Angeleno? Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, is primarily transmitted through close, intimate contact. This includes direct contact with body fluids, sores, or even shared bedding and clothing. Kissing, coughing, and sneezing can also pass the virus along, though health authorities emphasize that casual contact—like passing someone in a store or sitting next to them on an airplane—is unlikely to spread the disease.
The tell-tale symptoms are hard to ignore: a rash or unusual sores that look like pimples or pus-filled blisters, often appearing on the face, body, or genitals. Fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, and sometimes a sore throat round out the clinical picture. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health urges anyone who develops an unexplained rash or lesions to avoid sex and intimate contact, and to seek medical evaluation as soon as possible. “People should get tested if they have symptoms,” the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services advised. “Those who have symptoms should also avoid sex or close contact.”
Most people infected with Mpox recover within two to four weeks, but antiviral treatments are available for those at risk of severe illness. The JYNNEOS vaccine, a two-dose shot, is another key tool in the public health arsenal. It’s widely available at pharmacies such as Walgreens and CVS, as well as through public health clinics. The vaccine is recommended for people who have been exposed to Mpox within the last two weeks, as well as for those considered at higher risk—including gay and bisexual men, transgender, nonbinary, or gender-diverse people, individuals with HIV, and anyone planning to travel to regions where Clade I is circulating.
Officials are especially urging vaccination among vulnerable populations, including the LGBTQ+ community, ahead of the busy summer season. “Vaccines are widely available, and can be found at pharmacies such as Walgreens and CVS,” the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health noted, adding that people who received only one dose of the vaccine can get their second dose, “no matter how long it’s been since the first dose.”
The local surge in cases comes against a backdrop of rising Mpox numbers globally. According to the CDC, more than 40,000 suspected Clade I cases have been recorded in Central and East Africa since late 2024, with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) reporting some of the highest numbers. In Africa, transmission has been linked to contact with infected wild animals, crowded household conditions, and sexual contact. The CDC maintains that the risk to the general US population remains low, though it classifies the risk to gay and bisexual men with multiple partners as “low to moderate.”
There’s another wrinkle: the longer the outbreak continues, the greater the risk that Mpox could spill over into wild animal populations in the US, making eradication nearly impossible. This is not just a theoretical concern—such spillover events have been documented in other zoonotic diseases, and health officials are watching closely.
For now, the focus remains on swift action. Los Angeles County is coordinating with the California Department of Public Health and the CDC to trace contacts, investigate potential sources, and monitor for further cases. “We’re working closely with our partners to identify potential sources and understand how this potentially more serious type of the mpox virus may be spreading,” Dr. Davis said.
As the situation unfolds, public health officials are urging vigilance but not panic. The message is clear: get vaccinated if you’re eligible, seek medical help if you develop symptoms, and avoid close contact if you’re feeling unwell. With coordinated efforts and community cooperation, there’s hope that this new threat can be contained before it gains a stronger foothold.
The emergence of Clade I Mpox in Los Angeles County marks a turning point in the US response to the virus, highlighting both the unpredictable nature of infectious diseases and the importance of preparedness in a globalized world.
