The US has reported its first case of a dangerous new variant of mpox on Saturday but said the risk to the public remains “very low.”
California health officials said they confirmed a case of clade I mpox in an individual who recently traveled from Africa, where there is an ongoing outbreak of the virus.
The case was diagnosed in a person who recently traveled from Eastern Africa.
The individual was treated shortly after returning to the United States at a local medical facility and released. Since then, the person has isolated at home, is not on treatment specific for mpox, and symptoms are improving.
Based on their travel history and symptoms, patient specimens were tested and confirmed for the presence of clade I monkeypox virus. Specimens are being sent to CDC for additional viral characterization. Additionally, CDC is working with the state to identify and follow up with potential contacts.
Casual contact, like you might have during travel, is unlikely to pose significant risks for transmission of mpox. While investigations continue into this case, CDC guidance has not changed, sources say.
They further said that one could protect self from mpox by:
Avoiding close contact with people who are sick with symptoms of mpox, including those with skin or genital lesions;
Avoiding contact with contaminated materials used by people who are sick (such as clothing, bedding, toothbrushes, sex toys, or materials used in healthcare settings)
And if you’re eligible, get both recommended doses of mpox vaccine.
There are two types of mpox, clade I (with subclades Ia and Ib) and clade II (with subclades IIa and IIb; IIb caused the ongoing global outbreak).
One may not be able to tell which type of mpox someone has by looking at them. Outbreaks from the different subclades can have different characteristics, like who they affect, how they’re spread, or how many deaths they cause.
Although clade II mpox has been circulating in the United States since 2022, clade I mpox has never been reported in the United States before now.
Travel-associated cases of subclade Ib have been reported in Germany, India, Kenya, Sweden, Thailand, Zimbabwe, and the United Kingdom.
ALSO READ:Mpox Not Under Control, Spreading Rapidly, Africa CDC Warns
Historically, clade I mpox has caused more severe illness and deaths than clade II mpox; however, recent data demonstrate that infections from clade I mpox in the current outbreak may not be as clinically severe as in previous outbreaks.
While outbreaks of clade I mpox used to have death rates around 3%-11%, more recent outbreaks have had death rates as low as approximately 1% when patients received good medical oversight and supportive clinical care.
Death rates are expected to be much lower in countries with stronger healthcare systems and treatment options.
