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Two Californians with mpox may mark the first U.S. cases from local transmission of the clade I virus, officials said. Long Beach confirmed one case via state lab testing; Los Angeles County reported a second. Both patients were hospitalized and are now recovering at home. Authorities say public risk is low, have found no link between the cases, no close contact who traveled abroad, and no confirmed additional cases; some contacts received vaccine. Investigations continue as a federal shutdown limits CDC support, prompting concern about impaired outbreak response.

Prepared by Olivia Bennett and reviewed by editorial team.