California recently reported the first case of a new strain of mpox, a virus that is spreading from person to person. The infected individual had traveled from Eastern Africa, where the virus is currently causing outbreaks in multiple countries.
The person is currently being treated at a health facility in San Mateo County and is in isolation at home. According to the California Department of Public Health, the infected individual is not receiving anti-mpox medication, suggesting that the infection may be mild.
This new strain of the virus, known as clade Ib, is different from the strain responsible for the international mpox outbreak that began in 2022. While there is no evidence that the infected person has transmitted the virus to others, public health workers are contacting individuals who had close contact with the patient to monitor the situation.
The World Health Organization has declared the person-to-person spread of mpox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. The CDC is currently analyzing specimens from the California case to better understand the virus.
Although most cases of clade Ib have been reported in African countries, travel-related cases have been detected in several other countries, including the United States. The CDC believes that the risk posed by the clade Ib outbreak in Central and Eastern Africa to the U.S. population is low, based on simulation exercises conducted.
Since the mpox virus is related to smallpox, there is concern about its potential impact. While smallpox was eradicated in 1980, mpox can also be deadly and cause disfiguring rashes. The virus is primarily transmitted through contact with infected animals, but there have been cases of sexual transmission as well.
Vaccines are available to protect against mpox, but global production of these vaccines is limited. Health authorities are closely monitoring the situation and working to prevent further spread of the virus. It is essential for individuals to follow public health guidelines and seek medical attention if they develop symptoms of the virus.
