The World Health Organization issued a global health emergency over the spread of the new, more lethal clade I mpox strain.
California has confirmed the first case of a new, more lethal strain of mpox in a man who recently traveled to Africa, and public health officials now want to speak with anyone who may met the person. The new mpox clade I strain has a higher mortality rate than the earlier clade IIb strain that caused a global outbreak in 2022 and greatly impacted gay men. The World Health Organization declared a global public health emergency over the spread of the clade I mpox strain in August after the number of cases exploded in Africa. “The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has identified through laboratory testing the first known case of clade I mpox in the United States,” the CDPH said in a press release on Nov. 16. “This case was confirmed in an individual who recently traveled from Africa and is related to the ongoing outbreak of clade I mpox in Central and Eastern Africa.” The CDPH continued, saying the unnamed individual was receiving care in San Mateo County immediately south of San Francisco. The CDPH did not explain how the individual might have contracted mpox, formerly known as monkeypox. The CDPH is contacting anyone who may have encountered the individual.
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