First U.S. Case of Severe Monkeypox Strain Confirmed

The first confirmed case of a severe strain of monkeypox (clade I) in the U.S. has been reported in San Mateo County, California, involving a traveler returning from eastern Africa. Health officials confirm the individual is isolating at home with mild symptoms after receiving treatment, and the risk to the public is considered very low. This new strain has been linked to an ongoing outbreak in central Africa, with over 31,000 cases reported since September, primarily in Burundi, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Unlike previous outbreaks, this strain has spread through close personal contact, including sexual transmission. Health authorities are tracing contacts of the infected individual to mitigate potential spread. The CDC and state health officials are monitoring the situation closely, emphasizing that no other cases have been reported at this time.