Los Angeles, Nov 17 (IANS) – The United States has confirmed its first case of the clade I strain of mpox, an aggressive variant, in California. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that the infected individual had recently traveled from Eastern Africa, where clade I mpox is actively circulating. The person received treatment at a local facility shortly after returning to the US and has since been isolated at home with improving symptoms.
The CDC emphasized that the risk to the general public remains low but urged caution. Clade I mpox is known to be more severe compared to clade II mpox, the strain that primarily caused the global outbreak in 2022 and has been present in the US since then.
Mpox symptoms typically include a rash that may appear on various body parts, such as the hands, feet, chest, face, mouth, or near the genitals. The incubation period for mpox ranges from three to 17 days.
The CDC advises the public to avoid close contact with symptomatic individuals or their belongings and to consider vaccination if at risk.