City of Long Beach Confirms First Case of Clade I Mpox
The Californer/10329333

Long Beach, CA ~ A resident of Long Beach, California has been confirmed to have contracted clade I mpox, also known as monkeypox, according to the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department). This is the first reported case of clade I mpox in Long Beach and the seventh nationally. What makes this case particularly concerning is that the individual has no recent travel history, making it the first case without a known source of exposure.

The infected person was hospitalized but is now recovering at home while isolating. The Health Department is conducting a thorough investigation into potential sources of exposure, including social and travel history. Contact tracing procedures are also being implemented to identify any potential spread of the virus. So far, no additional cases have been identified in Long Beach.

The city is working closely with health officials from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to monitor the situation and educate healthcare providers and the community. They are also determining if there are any other cases in Long Beach or surrounding areas.

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Mayor Rex Richardson emphasized the importance of continued surveillance, early response, and vaccination in preventing further cases. He stated that while the overall risk to the public remains low, they are taking this situation very seriously.

Clade I mpox is a strain historically associated with more severe illness and has primarily been found in Central and Eastern Africa. This strain differs from clade II, which was linked to an outbreak in the United States in 2022-23 and typically causes milder disease. Symptoms may include rash or lesions, fever, chills, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, and body aches.

The virus can spread through direct contact with infectious sores or body fluids, sexual or intimate contact (such as hugging or kissing), and touching contaminated items like bedding or clothes. Anyone who develops an unexplained rash or lesions should avoid sex and intimate contact and seek medical evaluation as soon as possible. Most people recover within 2-4 weeks, but antiviral treatments may be considered for those at risk of developing severe illness.

While the risk to the public remains low, CDPH recommends vaccination for those who may be at increased risk of exposure. This includes gay or bisexual men, transgender and non-binary individuals, those who are immunocompromised (such as those with HIV), anyone exposed to a person with mpox, those with occupational exposure, and people planning to travel to areas with ongoing mpox outbreaks. The available vaccine, JYNNEOS, provides protection against both clade I and clade II mpox. Those who have completed the two-dose series are not currently recommended to receive a booster.

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Vaccines are available at local pharmacies such as CVS and Walgreens. Residents are encouraged to call ahead to confirm availability or use the statewide mpox vaccine locator at EmpoweredAgainstMpox.com.

Dr. Cliff Okada, Long Beach Public Health Physician, stated that they are working with state and federal partners to identify the source of the virus and notify potential contacts. He urged anyone with an unexplained rash or lesions to seek care promptly and speak openly with intimate partners and healthcare providers. Taking early action can protect both oneself and others.

Since 2025, there have been seven reported cases of mpox in Long Beach, including this recent case of clade I mpox. The classification was confirmed through testing by CDPH, with additional testing being conducted in coordination with the CDC.

Residents can call the Long Beach Health Department's HIV/STI resource line at (562) 570-4321 for guidance on vaccination, symptoms, or reporting concerns. For more information about mpox, visit longbeach.gov/mpox or follow @LongBeachCity and @LBHealthDept on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

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