# Global emergence of mpox Clade I variants > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/global-emergence-of-mpox-clade-i-variants > Updated: 2026-08-26T02:06:00.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2. Health authorities in the United States and Taiwan have reported the emergence of Clade I mpox variants in their respective regions. In San Diego County, California, officials confirmed the first Clade I case in a resident, likely contracted during international travel. While the risk to the general public is considered “very low,” health officials noted that Clade I, linked to Central and Eastern Africa, may be more severe than the Clade II strain previously seen in the area. In Taiwan, the Centers for Disease Control reported the first two local cases of the Clade Ib variant. Both cases involved men in their 30s exhibiting symptoms such as fever and rashes. Epidemiological investigations linked the infections to unsafe sexual practices, though specific sources could not be traced. Officials noted that Clade Ib is characterized by more widespread skin rashes and a higher tendency for household transmission compared to Clade II, posing a higher risk to immunocompromised individuals, children, and pregnant women. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-26: Taiwan reports first two local Mpox Clade Ib cases Taiwan has confirmed its first two local cases of the Mpox Clade Ib variant. Both cases involve men in their 30s with unknown infection sources following unsafe sexual contact. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/taiwan-reports-first-two-local-mpox-clade-ib-cases ### 2026-08-10: San Diego County confirms first Clade I mpox case San Diego County has confirmed its first case of Clade I mpox, likely contracted during international travel. Public health officials report the general risk remains low. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/san-diego-county-confirms-first-clade-i-mpox-case --- Cite as: Global emergence of mpox Clade I variants. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/global-emergence-of-mpox-clade-i-variants