Health authorities have identified the first case of a new strain of mpox in the United States, originally detected in eastern Congo.
According to the California Department of Public Health, the person had recently traveled to eastern Africa and sought medical care in Northern California upon their return. The patient is recovering well, and officials have stated that the risk to the general public remains low.
The person has been isolating at home, while health workers are reaching out to close contacts as a preventive measure, the state health department confirmed.
Mpox is a rare viral disease related to smallpox, though generally less severe. It is endemic to certain regions in Africa, where transmission often occurs through bites or contact with infected rodents or other small animals. Mild cases can involve symptoms like fever, chills, and muscle aches, while severe cases can lead to lesions on the face, chest, hands, and genital areas.
Earlier this year, scientists documented the appearance of a new mpox strain in Africa, which spreads through close contact. This strain has been predominantly reported in eastern and central Africa. However, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted that cases identified in international travelers have shown minimal spread outside the continent.
Since late September, over 3,100 confirmed cases of this new strain have been recorded, as reported by the World Health Organization. The majority of these cases have occurred in Burundi, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Travelers infected with this strain have also been reported in several countries, including Germany, India, Kenya, Sweden, Thailand, Zimbabwe, and the United Kingdom.
{Matzav.com}