Long Beach health officials are investigating a case of clade I mpox, a severe strain of the virus, in a resident with no travel history. This marks the first known U.S. case without international travel links and the seventh overall in the country. The patient, who was hospitalized, is now recovering at home in isolation, according to the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services.
Clade I mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, typically causes more severe illness than clade II, which led to the 2022-23 outbreak in the U.S. Symptoms include rash or lesions, fever, chills, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, and body aches. The city’s health department is conducting a public health investigation, including contact tracing and exposure source review, to prevent further cases.
Mayor Rex Richardson emphasized the importance of vigilance, stating, “This underscores the importance of continued surveillance, early response, and vaccination.” The JYNNEOS vaccine, effective against both clades of mpox, is available at local pharmacies. Residents are encouraged to confirm availability or use the statewide mpox vaccine locator at EmpoweredAgainstMpox.com.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health are collaborating with Long Beach officials to monitor the situation. The risk to the public remains low, but health officials urge anyone with unexplained rashes or lesions to seek medical evaluation promptly.
Recent Comments