The U.S. has reported its first case of a more aggressive strain of mpox in California, with the person identifying as an individual who recently traveled from Eastern Africa. The case has been confirmed by the California Department of Public Health, but there is no evidence of the strain spreading in California or the U.S. This strain, clade I, is known to cause more severe disease compared to the strain that was responsible for the global outbreak in 2022. The outbreak prompted the World Health Organization to declare a public health emergency. Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, causes painful lesions and flu-like symptoms. The current outbreak of clade I has been spreading mainly through contact with infected animals and within households, with a higher prevalence among children in Africa. The U.S. is more prepared for an outbreak this time with doctors instructed to test for mpox, and the availability of vaccines. The two-dose Jynneos vaccine is available for high-risk groups, including men who have sex with men. The vaccines or a previous infection with mpox should provide protection against severe illness from clade I. The U.S. has administered 1.2 million vaccine doses and aims to increase coverage among at-risk populations. Symptoms of mpox include a rash, bumps on the skin, and fluid-filled blisters. People who were infected with clade II during the 2022 outbreak reported painful lesions in various parts of the body, including the genital and anal region.
Photo credit
www.nbcnews.com
