Los Angeles County confirmed two cases of the potentially more severe Clade I mpox this week—the first U.S. detections in people without recent travel to high‑risk areas. One patient lives in Long Beach, the other in Los Angeles County; both were hospitalized and are now recovering at home, health officials said. Leaders urged vigilance, noting overall risk remains low, while Clade I may cause more serious illness and spread more easily through close personal contact. Officials urged testing for symptoms, avoiding intimate contact if rash appears, and seeking vaccination.

Prepared by Olivia Bennett and reviewed by editorial team.