A New Mpox Threat Emerges in California

Mpox, a virus known for causing flu-like symptoms and painful sores, has a new, more severe strain spreading in California. This strain, called Clade 1, has been found in three people who hadn't traveled outside the U.S. It's the first time this strain has spread locally in the country.

Clade 1: A Deadly Strain

Clade 1 is not new. It has been causing infections and deaths in Africa for years. But until now, it hadn't spread from person to person in the U.S.

• The milder strain, Clade 2, caused a big outbreak in 2022.
• Cases are now low, but some cities like Los Angeles have seen a recent increase.

Cases in California

The three people infected with Clade 1 were from Long Beach and Los Angeles.

• They were all hospitalized but have since recovered in isolation.
• Officials haven't found any links between these cases.

Health Experts Warn of Severe Illness

Experts are worried—this new strain could cause more severe illness.

• The virus spreads through:
• Close contact
• Shared items
• Living together
• Symptoms take up to three weeks to appear, meaning people may unknowingly spread it.

Symptoms Include:

• Fever
• Tiredness
• Headache
• Rash that turns into painful sores

CDC Recommendations:

• Vaccination for high-risk individuals (e.g., multiple sexual partners, certain health conditions).
• Two doses of the Jynneos vaccine can prevent severe illness.

A Bigger Problem: Health Program Cuts

Recent cuts to health programs could make it harder to control outbreaks.

• Experts warn that the infrastructure built during the 2022 outbreak is being dismantled.
• This could make it difficult to understand and contain future outbreaks.