First Severe Mpox Strain Detected in U.S., California Reports Case

A more severe strain of mpox, known as clade I, has been detected in the U.S. for the first time, with a case confirmed in California. The patient contracted the disease after traveling from East Africa, where there is an ongoing outbreak. The CDC states that the strain poses a low risk to the general public, advising against close contact with infected individuals and recommending vaccination for those eligible. Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, is a zoonotic disease endemic to Central and West Africa.