While Mpox clade 1 has not been detected in California yet, there are daily new infections of clade 2b across the state

California Mpox News Update: As California continues to navigate the post-pandemic landscape, a new concern has emerged on the horizon: Mpox. Despite the relatively low overall risk of contracting the virus, some California cities are experiencing an uptick in infection rates involving what many ignorant health officials and “experts’ are calling the milder clade 2 Mpox strain. In reality Mpox strains of both clades are a concern as while the Clade 1 is more lethal, the clade 2 can still be lethal in some and coupled with the fact that infections with either Clade can lead to a variety of long term medical and health issues. Some stupids are trying to downplay Mpox clade 2 as some kind of mild STD which is wrong. The Mpox virus mutates at a concerning speed and can easily evolve to become more virulent plus it also develops drug and immune resistance over time as it passes from host to host. Terming it as a mild STD is wrong as efforts should be focused on eliminating any spread and existence of that virus as what was successfully done in the past with smallpox.


While Mpox clade 1 has not been detected in California yet, there are daily new infections
of clade 2b across the state

Interestingly, there are not much Mpox News coverages about the growing spread and cases involving the Mpox Clade 2b across the United States despite it being a health threat as well. Some are stupidly classifying Mpox Clade 2b as being a gay disease that is only confirmed to the gay community and only spread through gay sex. While it is true that that most of the cases tend to involve gay men, the pathogen can also spread to the general population if the approach to containing the disease is not conducted properly as what happened to HIV.
 
Rising Infection Rates in Key Cities
Recent data from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) reveals that there are daily cases of new Mpox clade 2 infections in the state with 1.29 new cases reported daily.
https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Mpox-Data.aspx
 
Certain cities in the state are witnessing a higher concentration of cases. These cities include densely populated areas such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego, where the infection rate has surpassed 10 cumulative infections per 100,000 residents. This localized surge comes despite the absence of Mpox Clade 1, the more severe strain currently spreading in Africa and other parts of the world.
 
Understanding Mpox and Its Spread
Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a viral infection similar to smallpox but unrelated to chickenpox. The virus spreads primarily through close contact with infected bodily fluids, contaminated materials like bedding and clothing, or direct interactions such as kissing, hugging, and intimate contact. The virus can also spread through contact with infected animals. Some newer data is showing that it can be spread via air transmissions when in close proximity of infected individuals.
 
The mpox virus can remain infectious on surfaces as around the environment for considerable period of time depending on temperature and other factors.
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/mpox-virus-shows-prolonged-surface-survival-especially-at-lower-temperatures
 
Worse, it can remain infectious for months and even years in scabs or dried blood.
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/breaking-mpox-virus-can-survive-in-scabs-for-months-or-even-years-says-u-s-department-of-homeland-security-report
 
Symptoms of Mpox include a rash resembling pimples or blisters, which can be painful or itchy, along with fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, exhaustion, muscle aches, and headaches. These symptoms can vary in severity, making early detection and prevention crucial.
 
San Francisco’s Vigilant Monitoring and Response
San Francisco has been particularly vigilant in monitoring Mpox, especially since the 2022 outbreak. Health officials have been tracking trace levels of the virus in the city's wastewater, a method that has proven effective in early detection of viral trends. Recently, increasing amounts of Mpox detected in the wastewater, though officials were quick to clarify that these detections are not indicative of a new outbreak. However, these increasing levels of clade 2b Mpox virus in the waste water is still a concern that health officials should not ignore
https://publichealth.verily.com/?d=6w&v=Mpox+virus
 
According to the San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFPDH), the current levels of Mpox in the city’s wastewater are significantly lower than those observed during the peak of the 2022 outbreak, when the virus spread rapidly from Africa to Europe and North America.
 
Monitoring the Threat of Clade 1
While California has not yet detected any cases of Mpox Clade 1, health officials are closely monitoring developments overseas. Clade 1, known for causing more severe disease, has been spreading in Africa, and the first case outside the continent was recently reported in Sweden.
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/mpox-clade-i-debuts-in-sweden-cases-expected-in-uk-next
 
The clade 1 strain has now been officially confirmed to be found in Thailand as well.
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/thailand-finds-mpox-infected-european-originating-from-a-clade-1-infested-african-country
 
This clade has raised concerns due to its potential to cause more significant outbreaks.
 
The CDPH and other health authorities in California are maintaining a watchful eye on these developments, ensuring that any signs of Clade 1 entering the U.S. are quickly identified and contained.
 
Preventative Measures and Vaccination Efforts
In response to the ongoing risk of Mpox, California health officials continue to recommend preventative measures, particularly for those in high-risk groups. Vaccination remains a critical tool in preventing the spread of the virus. The two-dose Mpox vaccine is strongly recommended for individuals with HIV, men who have sex with men, and transgender and nonbinary individuals.
 
In Sacramento, Pucci's Pharmacy has been offering the Mpox vaccine free of charge through the end of September. After this period, the vaccine will only be available for free if covered by insurance, emphasizing the importance of timely vaccination.
 
Conclusion
As California navigates the complexities of Mpox, the state's public health infrastructure remains robust, with vigilant monitoring and proactive vaccination efforts. While the overall risk of Mpox remains low, the localized increase in infections in certain cities serves as a reminder of the importance of continued vigilance and public health awareness. With no cases of Mpox Clade 1 detected in the U.S. yet, California's health officials are prepared to respond swiftly should the situation evolve.
 
For the latest Mpox News, keep on logging to Thailand Medical News.
 
Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/study-finds-that-mpox-virus-infects-human-astrocytes-causing-neuroinflammation-and-eventual-brain-damage
 
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/honduras-reports-first-suspected-case-of-mpox-clade-1b-infection-awaiting-test-results