The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the first case of a more severe mpox strain in California. However, the agency said the risk for the general public remains low.
The strain, clade I mopox, was confirmed in an individual who recently traveled to Eastern Africa, where there is an active mpox outbreak. The person had received medical treatment at a local hospital and had been released prior to returning home.
The CDC and the state of California are currently working to identify the individual’s potential contacts.
In the United States, clade II mopox has been spreading since 2022, with a larger outbreak in 2023.
In Africa, however, the dominant strain is clade I mpox, which causes more severe disease. The specific subtype that is driving the current spread, clade Ib, is also relatively new.
So far, travel-related cases of clade I mpox have been reported in several countries including the United Kingdom, India, Thailand, Germany, Zimbabwe, Sweden, and Kenya. A few locally transmitted cases have also been confirmed outside of Africa.
According to the CDC, the cases of travel-associated clade I mpox outside of Africa are all due to the new subtype, clade Ib. There also haven’t been any deaths reported and the current data available suggests that it causes relatively mild disease.
Historically, however, clade I mpox causes more severe symptoms compared to clade II mpox. In some cases, it can also lead to death.
But recent data shows that current clade I mpox infections are not as severe clinically compared to hose from prior outbreaks. While clade I mpox used to have a fatality rate of up to 11 percent, the current outbreaks have death rates of 1 percent, given that the individual receives prompt medical treatment.
In countries such as the U.S., where there are many healthcare facilities, the fatality rate is expected to be much lower.
In Africa, however, the number of confirmed cases are continuing to go up, according to The World Health Organization, with many cases in Burundim, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
On Nov. 22, the emergency committee for the WHO will be meeting to discuss whether or not the current mpox outbreak constitutes as a ‘public health emergency’ on the international level.
What Is Mpox?
Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, is a viral infection that can spread between humans; it can also spread to humans from nonhuman primates or rodents.
Among humans, it tends to spread through close contact such as kissing or touching. The virus can also spread through contaminated objects such as needles, sheets, and clothing.
Upon being infected, a person will develop flu-like symptoms such as headache, fever, chills, muscle weakness, and fatigue. As the disease progresses, many will develop an itchy and painful rash that will eventually scab over over several weeks.
The best way to protect yourself from the virus is by avoiding those with symptoms. Individuals should also avoid coming into contact with potentially contaminated material such as bedding, clothing and toothbrushes.
For extra protection, those who are eligible are also advised to get two doses of the vaccine.
