CDC Issues Alert After Severe Mpox Case Detected in California

The first U.S. case of the more severe clade I mpox strain has been identified in a traveler from Africa, but the risk to the public remains low.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has alerted healthcare providers to be vigilant for symptoms of the severe clade I mpox strain.
A traveler from Africa in California is the first confirmed U.S. case of clade I mpox, which is known for causing more severe illness than clade II.
Clade I mpox is primarily transmitted through direct contact with skin lesions or body fluids, and recent cases have been less severe due to better medical care.
The JYNNEOS vaccine, effective against both clade I and II, is widely available in the U.S., reducing the risk of a large outbreak.
The World Health Organization is set to convene an emergency committee to assess if mpox remains a public health emergency of international concern.