San Diego County confirms first Clade I mpox case

The California Department of Public Health has confirmed the first case of Clade I mpox in a San Diego County resident. Health officials stated the patient likely contracted the virus during international travel to a region where Clade I is circulating.

While the risk to the general public is considered very low, officials are monitoring all identified contacts. No other individuals have reported symptoms at this time. Clade I, which is linked to Central and Eastern Africa, may be more severe than the Clade II strain that has been present in San Diego since 2022.

San Diego County has reported 27 mpox cases this year, primarily involving men between the ages of 17 and 53, most of whom were not fully vaccinated. Health officials recommend the two-dose JYNNEOS vaccine for high-risk individuals and travelers to provide the best protection against severe illness and hospitalization.