Health officials recently confirmed the first case of the more severe strain of mpox, referred to as clade 1, has surfaced in the U.S. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) reported on Saturday, November 16, 2024, this notable case, highlighting concerns due to its origins from eastern Africa, where it is currently circulating.
The infected individual, who traveled to Africa recently, is receiving treatment for mild illness and is currently isolatng at home, according to public health authorities. They emphasized the low risk of transmission to the wider community, stating there’s no current evidence to suggest clade 1 is spreading throughout California or the United States.
Interestingly, this new case is different from those observed during the 2022 mpox outbreak, where cases predominantly affected gay and bisexual men. The emergence of clade 1 dates back to September 2023 when it began to spread alarmingly through populations, particularly among sex workers in Rwanda. The World Health Organization (WHO) categorized the situation as a global health emergency back on November 15, 2024.
With more than 3,100 confirmed cases of this variant reported across Africa recently, it becomes increasingly evident how this situation needs urgent attention, especially as it poses higher risks compared to clade 2, which has been mainly seen since 2022. While clade 1 is known for its more severe clinical manifestations, recent evaluations suggest possibly less severity than anticipated, likely due to improved access to medical care.
“People who had close contact with this individual are being contacted by public health workers to monitor their health status,” the CDPH report noted. Testing of the mpox samples is also planned to be submitted to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to gain more insight.
To keep contagion at bay, health officials advise the public to avoid close contacts with infected individuals, refrain from touching contaminated items, and to receive both doses of the mpox vaccine if available.
Two main clades of the mpox virus have been recorded: clade I and clade II, each subdivided based on distinct characteristics like symptoms, death rates, and vulnerability of affected demographics. According to the CDC, symptoms of mpox typically include rashes, fever, muscle aches, and swollen lymph nodes, alongside more severe cases leading to lesions on the body.
While this is the first reported U.S. case of clade 1, around 3,004 incidents involving clade II have been accounted for since early January 2024, making the U.S. responsible for about 14% of the total global cases identified this year. Therefore, the challenge remains not just to manage the existing cases but to prevent outbreaks of new strains as they arise.
Overall, this development is being closely monitored. The California Department of Public Health maintains regular updates on their website, offering advice and resources for those seeking more information about mpox and its spread.
