The United States has confirmed its first case of a new, more dangerous variant of mpox, identified in California. Health authorities assure the public that the risk remains “very low.”
According to California health officials, the case involves an individual who recently traveled from Africa, where an outbreak of the clade I mpox variant is ongoing. The person, who received treatment in San Mateo County, is currently isolating and recovering at home.
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the new mpox variant an international health emergency on August 14, following a surge in cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The declaration has prompted global efforts, including vaccination campaigns and enhanced public health measures.
So far, over 50,000 mpox cases have been reported globally in 2024. The newly detected strain, clade Ia, is more infectious and potentially deadlier than the variant that caused a global outbreak in 2022.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued guidelines urging physicians to monitor patients who have recently traveled to the DRC or neighboring countries for potential mpox symptoms.
Jean Kaseya, director-general of Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, recently noted that mpox strains are still evolving. Studies indicate that clade Ia, typically spread through contact with animals in central and west Africa, may have mutated to transmit more effectively between humans.
The situation highlights the importance of vigilance and international collaboration to contain the spread of the new variant.
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