Connecticut confirms first clade I mpox case linked to travel in Europe
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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a case of clade I mpox, a more virulent version of the virus that causes monkeypox, has been confirmed in the United States; global health officials are also monitoring newly reported hantavirus cases in Europe.
The Connecticut Department of Public Health (CDPH) said Wednesday that the first case of clade I mpox identified in the state was in a person who recently traveled to Western Europe, where authorities continue to monitor infectious disease activity.
The World Health Organization (WHO) also reported new cases of hantavirus in Spain and France, highlighting the rare but potentially serious disease that can cause serious respiratory complications in humans.
Hantavirus is typically spread through contact with infected rodents and can cause serious respiratory illness, although cases remain rare, according to the World Health Organization.
Although health officials say the mpox case “does not pose a risk to the public,” they encourage people who may be at risk to get the JYNNEOS vaccine.
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A pharmacist wearing latex gloves holds a photo of mpox virus, which can spread through close and intimate contact with an infected person. (iStock)
Mpox symptoms can include fever, swollen lymph nodes and a characteristic rash, according to the CDC.
CDPH Commissioner Dr. “Mpox has not gone away, and we want people to be protected, especially as so many in our community prepare for travel, festivals and gatherings this summer,” Manisha Juthani said in the statement. he said.
“The vaccine is safe, effective and widely available. Completing the two-dose series is the best way to protect yourself and your partner.”
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A newer strain of the virus, Clade I mpox, first appeared in California in November 2024. (iStock)
According to the CDC and WHO, Clade I and Clade II mpox are genetically distinct forms of the virus that differ significantly in severity and geographic origin.
Clade I, historically identified in Central Africa, is associated with more severe disease and higher mortality rates; In most cases, more widespread rashes and complications are observed.
A traveler passes a sign about mpox in a crowded airport. (Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP)
Clade II, which circulates mainly in West Africa, is generally associated with milder disease and has led to the start of the global epidemic starting in 2022, when most patients experienced less severe symptoms and had lower rates of hospitalization and death, according to the World Health Organization.
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The CDC and WHO say distinguishing between the two classes helps guide risk assessments, especially as international travel increases.
