A California resident has tested positive for mpox clade I. This strain has spread rapidly in parts of Africa. The development marks the first recorded case of clade I mpox in the United States. The infected person recently returned from East Africa to Sonoma County.
So far, there is no evidence that clade I is spreading in the U.S. Experts say the risk to the general population remains low. Still, the presence of clade I in the U.S. shows how mpox is continuing to spread globally.
In August, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared mpox a global health emergency. It confirmed this status again during a meeting in November.
The Global State of Mpox Strains
The U.S. is not the only country where mpox has spread from Africa. Cases have been reported in Germany, Sweden, Thailand, the U.K., and others. In India, a traveler returning from the United Arab Emirates tested positive for mpox.
In the U.K., a traveler from Africa infected three family members before the virus was contained. While clade I’s appearance in the U.S. is significant, clade II caused a global outbreak in 2022. Clade II spreads mostly through sexual contact, especially among gay and bisexual men. It is still circulating in the U.S., though infection rates are low.
Meanwhile, clade I continues to cause suffering in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Nearly 60,000 cases have been reported there this year, with around 1,200 deaths. Many of the fatalities are children, who are at higher risk of severe illness.
Clade I is more deadly than clade II. In past outbreaks, its fatality rate reached 10% or higher. However, access to quality health care lowers this rate to about 1% in many places.
How Dangerous Is Mpox?
The U.S. faces a low risk of broader mpox spread. This is partly due to a lack of direct flights from the Congo or nearby countries. In the Congo, however, children are suffering the most from the outbreak. Many factors make children vulnerable, including crowded living conditions, poor health care, and malnutrition.
In response, the WHO has kept mpox’s designation as a global health emergency. The organization cited several reasons for this decision, including:
- The geographic scale of mpox spread.
- Significant challenges for field workers in affected areas.
- The need for a stronger, unified response from countries and NGOs.
The WHO has also approved the emergency use of a new vaccine from Japan. The country plans to donate over three million doses to the Congo and other affected areas. This is the largest vaccine delivery in response to the current outbreak.
Save the Children reported a 130% increase in child mpox cases in the Congo this year. The group estimates over 25,000 children have been infected. Children are almost four times more likely than adults to die from mpox.
Until now, the only WHO-approved vaccine was Bavarian Nordic’s, mostly for adults. The new Japanese vaccine will help protect children and prevent severe illness.
Conclusion
Clade I mpox’s arrival in the U.S. highlights how diseases can spread across borders. While the risk in the U.S. remains low, other countries are facing a serious crisis. Efforts like Japan’s vaccine donation are essential to reduce suffering, especially among children. International cooperation will remain key to controlling mpox and saving lives.
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Logan Hamilton is a health and wellness freelance writer for hire. He’s passionate about crafting crystal-clear, captivating, and credible content that elevates brands and establishes trust. When not writing, Logan can be found hiking, sticking his nose in bizarre books, or playing drums in a local rock band. Find him at loganjameshamilton.com.
