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California Confirms Three Clade I Mpox Cases, Signaling First U.S. Local Spread

Officials say the overall risk remains low, with vaccination and testing urged for higher-risk groups.

Overview

  • Health departments confirmed one case in Long Beach and two in Los Angeles County, and all three patients were hospitalized before being discharged to isolate at home.
  • Authorities report person-to-person transmission is occurring in California, and investigators have not identified links among the cases.
  • Clade I has historically been associated with more severe illness and may spread more easily through close, intimate or household contact than the Clade II strain circulating since 2022.
  • The CDC characterizes risk to the general public as low, noting elevated risk for gay and bisexual men with multiple partners.
  • Officials are offering Jynneos vaccination, testing, contact tracing and treatment as needed, while experts warn weakened outbreak infrastructure could hamper containment.