First U.S. Case of Severe Mpox Strain Detected in California

A traveler returning from Africa is the first confirmed case of the more lethal mpox clade I in the U.S., but public health risk remains low.

The California Department of Public Health confirmed the first U.S. case of the mpox clade I strain in a traveler from Africa.
This strain, originating in eastern Congo, has a higher mortality rate but recent cases have shown less severe symptoms with proper medical care.
The individual is isolating at home in San Mateo County, and health officials are contacting close contacts as a precautionary measure.
The World Health Organization declared the spread of mpox clade I a global public health emergency in August due to its rapid transmission in Africa.
More than 3,100 cases have been reported globally, primarily in Burundi, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with limited spread in travelers outside Africa.