Los Angeles County has confirmed its first case of a version of Mpox that is considered to be more serious than the typical case seen by health officials.
On Thursday, the County Public Health Department confirmed its first case of Clade I Mpox, which was found in a resident with no recent international travel information.
Clade I Mpox is more serious and less common than Clade II, which typically causes mild to moderate illness and was the main strain linked to the U.S. outbreak of 2022 when the disease was previously referred to as Monkeypox.
The detection of Clade I in a person with no recent international travel has raised alarms among health professionals, as it is typically found in Central and Eastern African countries that have experienced outbreaks in recent years. It is believed to spread more easily than Clade II.
It’s the second person in Los Angeles County to test positive for Clade I Mpox this month; the other was in Long Beach, which has its own separate health department. There have been 118 knowns cases of the less-serious Clade II Mpox in L.A. County this year.
Both the L.A. County and Long Beach cases were found in individuals with no recent international travel history—the only two such cases in the U.S.
Both Clade I and II may present with flu-like symptoms and lesions or rash that can be easily spread through close personal contact, including intercourse and massage, or within households where occupants share personal items.
Health officials said the infected adult in L.A. County was hospitalized but is now recovering at home.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is working with the California Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to investigate the case, identify contacts and determine the source of the infection.
“This identification of cases of clade I mpox, which may cause more severe illness than the more common clade II, is concerning,” said Dr. Muntu Davis, L.A. County public health officer. “Early detection, testing and vaccination are vital to controlling the spread of this virus.”
Health officials continue to recommend the two-dose vaccine against Mpox, which protects against both versions of the virus. Vaccination is particularly recommended for gay and bisexual men, transgender and nonbinary individuals, and people living with or at risk of contracting HIV.
The vaccine, officials said, is available at pharmacies and public clinics across the county, and is free for those enrolled in certain public health programs. A full list of providers is available at the county’s Sexual Health Clinics page.
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