First Severe Case of Mpox in the U.S. Confirmed: What You Need to Know
California has reported the first U.S. case of a severe form of pox – a major public health update in the ongoing global fight against the virus. The patient, who has returned from East Africa, is isolating at home in San Mateo County, near San Francisco, health officials said.
What Is Clade Ib Mpox?
The Clade Ib subtype of the pox virus, causing a devastating epidemic in several African countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, and Uganda, is involved in this case. Unlike the Clade II strain that caused a global outbreak in 2022, Clade Ib has been mostly associated with severe illness this year, with nearly 57,000 cases and more than 1,200 deaths, including many children.
How Did the U.S. Case Emerge?
The patient, whose identity was not revealed, was diagnosed after returning from East Africa, where the population is experiencing alarming rates of pox. Authorities said the California Department of Public Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are conducting contact tracing to determine risks and prevent the virus from spreading further.
Is the U.S. at Risk for Community Spread?
There’s also no evidence that Clade Ib is circulating among U.S. communities right now. The CDC also says the risk to the general population is low. In other countries, such as Germany, Sweden, and the UK, similar cases have usually been contained without wider spread.
Mpox and Clade Ib: Key Facts
Mpox is a viral disease spread through close personal contact. The incubation period is three to 17 days, and symptoms include a painful rash on the hands, feet, chest, face, anus, or genitals. Clade Ib pox has historically spread by contact with infected animals or eating meat infected with the virus. But it has been ever more recently associated with sexual transmission, including heterosexual prostitution.
How Can You Protect Yourself?
Preventing pox is a work of vaccination. The CDC said sexually active gay and bisexual men at higher risk should receive two doses of the Jynneos vaccine. As the virus continues to circulate the globe, albeit at declining levels compared to the 2022 epidemic, this is especially important.
A Global Perspective
In August, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Clade Ib epidemic a global emergency, urging quick containment. However, the 2022 outbreak of Clade II pox primarily spread in the gay and bisexual men population, whereas the new subtype of the virus demonstrates the threat of the virus also for those of the public not identified as primarily affected.
Conclusion
This is the first U.S. case of severe pox — and a stark reminder of how global health is connected. The risk to Americans is still low, but vigilance, vaccination, and strong public health measures must continue to slow further spread.
To stay safe and help your community, get the facts, understand precautions, and get updates from public health authorities.
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