California officials worry as weekly average of rare viral cases rise
SFGATE • • health
Key Points:
- California is experiencing a rise in mpox cases, with more than double the average weekly clade II cases in 2026 compared to previous years, prompting health officials to urge at-risk individuals to get vaccinated.
- San Francisco identified its first clade I mpox case in April 2026, marking the seventh such case in California since November 2024; this strain is more severe and has a higher mortality rate than clade II.
- The individual infected with clade I mpox was hospitalized but is currently recovering; the virus spreads primarily through close intimate skin-to-skin contact and causes painful, long-lasting rashes.
- Health officials emphasize the importance of receiving both doses of the mpox vaccine, especially for gay and bisexual men and travelers to regions where clade I is present, as summer events and travel increase exposure risks.
- Clade I mpox can be severe, particularly for those with weakened immune systems, with mortality rates between 1% and 10%, while clade II mortality rates range from less than 1% to 4%.
