On November 16, health officials announced the confirmation of the first U.S. case of a new strain of mpox. The California Department of Public Health identified the strain as the Clade I variant, associated with the ongoing mpox outbreak in East Africa.

Overview of Mpox Virus and the Newly Identified Strain

Monkeypox is a zoonotic disease caused by the monkeypox virus, which is classified into two distinct clades: Clade I and Clade II. These clades differ in their characteristics, including target hosts, modes of transmission, and mortality rates.

Since 2022, Clade II monkeypox virus has been circulating in the United States, but no cases of Clade I infections had been reported—until now. The recently identified Clade I strain was first detected in Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and Kenya.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), while Clade I infections in the current outbreaks across Africa and other regions are less severe than in past outbreaks, the mortality rate remains approximately 10% for patients receiving proper medical care.

Patient Status and Response Measures

The person had traveled to eastern Africa and was treated in Northern California upon return, according to the California Department of Public Health.

The CDC advises the public to avoid close contact with individuals showing symptoms of mpox and to refrain from handling items used by infected individuals.

Risk Assessment

Although U.S. officials have stated that the Clade I mpox strain poses a low risk to the general public, the situation warrants attention. While there is currently no evidence of local human-to-human transmission, factors such as population movement create a potential risk for spread.

Globally, over 50,000 mpox cases have been reported in 2024 alone, highlighting the ongoing activity of the virus. The emergence of a new variant in the U.S. could complicate efforts to control the global mpox epidemic.

BioPerfectus Mpox Testing Solution

BioPerfectus is dedicated to infectious disease diagnostics and has consistently supported mpox testing and control efforts. Our CE-IVDD certified kit detects and distinguishes between clades I and II of the monkeypox virus, providing crucial information needed for targeted response strategies and effective outbreak management.

👉🏻 Learn more about our mpox diagnostic kits:

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