A rare and more serious virus strain has been found in Los Angeles County — with no travel history. What’s happening, who’s at risk and how you can protect yourself.
LA County investigators confirm a potentially severe virus strain may be spreading locally. Learn what experts are saying and how to stay safe.
Three cases of a severe and rare virus strain were detected in Los Angeles County this week, and local officials are concerned it could be spreading. The Los Angeles County Public Health Department reported three individuals have been diagnosed with a rare strain of mpox virus, called clade I mpox. In the U.S., this strain has historically been diagnosed solely in travelers exposed to the disease in Africa, where it originated.
These cases in Los Angeles County are the first in the nation to be diagnosed without known prior travel exposure.
“The confirmation of a third case with no travel history raises concerns about possible local spread in Los Angeles County,” Los Angeles County Health Officer Dr. Muntu Davis said in a statement. “We’re working closely with our partners to identify potential sources and understand how this potentially more serious type of the mpox virus may be spreading.”
The California Department of Public Health issued an alert Friday that the disease may be spreading among certain populations, including gay and bisexual men. Officials stressed the risk to the general public is still low.
“As we continue to monitor the situation, it is crucial for Californians to stay informed and take preventive measures, especially persons who are more likely to be exposed to mpox,” said Dr. Rita Nguyen, assistant state public health officer. “Clade I mpox cases can be severe. Risk of severe disease and hospitalization are highest for people with weakened immune systems, so it’s critical to protect yourself by getting both doses of the mpox vaccine if you or your sex partner(s) may be at risk for mpox.”
Mpox is a viral disease that causes blistering, rash, fever and swollen lymph nodes. It spreads via close physical contact, often sexual, with symptoms generally appearing about eight or nine days after exposure. In severe cases, lesions can become infected, leading to potentially fatal complications including sepsis and encephalitis, according to the World Health Organization.
All three Los Angeles area individuals were hospitalized for their symptoms and then released.
An outbreak of mpox in the U.S. in 2022 was primarily due to a different strain, clade II mpox, and cases have continued to pop up since that viral wave. The clade II strain is generally considered to have less severe symptoms than clade I.
Those concerned about mpox or at high risk of contracting the virus can receive the two-dose Jynneos vaccine, which reduces risk of infection by about 86% to 89%.
Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, a professor of medicine and infectious disease expert at UC San Francisco, said the two-dose vaccine can also reduce symptom severity even if it doesn’t prevent infection.
He reiterated that the virus is transmitted via extremely close or intimate physical contact, and people are unlikely to get it from being in public places.
“You don’t get it from going to Muni or taking Bikram Yoga or Trader Joe’s. I mean, it’s something that’s really intimate,” he said.
Los Angeles County is facing a concerning development: health officials have confirmed multiple cases of a rare and more severe strain of the Mpox virus — known as **Clade I** — among residents who did *not* travel abroad. ([Los Angeles Times][1]) This marks the first time in the United States that this variant has been detected locally with no known link to international travel, raising questions about whether sustained community spread is underway.
The strain in question has historically been identified in central and eastern Africa and is considered to pose **greater risk of severe illness** compared to the more common Clade II variant. ([CBS News][2]) According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and regional public-health authorities, the infected individuals were hospitalized but are now recovering. Clade I carries a higher potential for complications such as encephalitis and sepsis, especially among individuals with weakened immune systems. ([Los Angeles Times][1])
Public-health officials in LA County, led by Dr. Muntu Davis, emphasize that while the risk to the general population remains low, the emergence of this variant locally demands heightened vigilance. ([SFGATE][3]) They are actively investigating potential sources of transmission, which may include intimate physical contact, household sharing of personal items, or other non-travel-related routes.
Preventive measures are being reinforced: vaccination with the two-dose JYNNEOS mpox vaccine, awareness of symptoms such as fever, rash, swollen lymph nodes, and prompt medical evaluation if such signs appear. ([KQED][4]) For residents of Los Angeles and beyond, staying informed and taking protective actions remain the best defence against this potential public-health threat.
In the full article, we’ll explore what Clade I mpox is, how it differs from previous strains, what the current data suggests about spread and severity, who is most at risk, and what steps you can take now to safeguard yourself and your community.
🚨 Rare mpox strain found in LA County — no travel history required. What you need to know NOW to protect yourself and your loved ones.
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