ABVC Disease Alert Issue No. 21 | Mpox Clade Ib in The United States

On November 16, 2024, the California Department of Public Health notified the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the first confirmed case of mpox Clade I in the United States. This diagnosis came from a traveler who had recently visited Eastern Africa, where an ongoing outbreak of mpox Clade I is occurring. This announcement follows a critical alert issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) on August 14, 2024, declaring a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). The WHO’s decision was prompted by escalating mpox outbreaks across several African countries, highlighting the need for global vigilance and coordinated response to this emerging health threat. The patient diagnosed with mpox Clade I received treatment at a local healthcare facility upon returning from Africa and has since been isolated at home while their symptoms show signs of improvement. Public health officials are currently tracing potential contacts to ensure no further transmission occurs within California or the United States. ASEAN Biodiaspora Virtual Center, 2/F Ministry of Health, Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said, Blok X5, Kav. 4-9, Jakarta Selatan, Jakarta, Indonesia E-mail: support@biodiaspora.org This development underscores the importance of continued monitoring and preparedness measures against mpox, particularly given its potential severity compared to other strains like Clade II, which was prevalent in the U.S. during previous years.