November 16th 2024.
Officials in San Mateo County have made a startling announcement regarding the spread of a severe form of mpox. This particular version of the virus has been wreaking havoc across Eastern and Central Africa, and it has now made its way to the United States.
According to the county's health department, a person who recently traveled to Africa has been diagnosed with clade I mpox. While they are currently experiencing mild symptoms, they are isolating at home and recovering. This marks the first known case of this version of the virus in the US, joining a growing number of countries affected by it.
Unfortunately, this particular strain of mpox is known to cause more severe illness and a higher death rate compared to the version previously found in the US. However, health officials have assured the public that the risk of it spreading is very low. Symptoms of this virus include a painful rash, fever, chills, and muscle aches.
Efforts are being made to reach out to anyone who may have come into contact with the infected individual, and the San Mateo County health department is confident that they will be able to do so successfully. Preston Merchant, a spokesperson for the department, stated that there is no evidence of this version of the virus spreading among individuals in the county or elsewhere in the US.
The outbreak of this virus in Africa has already claimed the lives of over 1,000 people this year, with the majority of cases occurring in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This prompted the World Health Organization to declare a public health emergency in August, as the virus continued to spread to neighboring countries.
In fact, travelers who have fallen ill with this virus in Africa have also tested positive for it in countries such as Germany, India, Kenya, Sweden, Thailand, the United Kingdom, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed that the virus is usually spread through skin-to-skin or intimate contact, as well as through contact with contaminated items and surfaces used by infected individuals.
As this is a developing story, we will continue to provide updates on the situation. In the meantime, officials are urging everyone to take necessary precautions to prevent the spread of this virus.
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