Arizona has identified its first resident case of Clade I mpox in a person who recently traveled internationally, ADHS said. Officials report no evidence of local transmission and are monitoring potential contacts. Clade I, historically linked with higher severity, has driven a separate outbreak since late 2023, while Clade II remains the dominant strain from the 2022 global outbreak.
Arizona Confirms First Resident Case Of Clade I Mpox Linked To International Travel
Arizona reports first Clade I mpox case in resident with recent travel
Arizona health officials on July 23 confirmed the state's first resident infection with Clade I mpox. The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) said the individual likely contracted the virus while traveling internationally and that the infection is laboratory-confirmed.
ADHS Statement: "ADHS and local public health officials are working to prevent additional infections through monitoring and follow-ups with people who may have been exposed," the agency said, adding that "there is currently no evidence of local transmission." Few details about the patient's identity or condition were released.
What Is Mpox And How It Spreads
Mpox is caused by the monkeypox virus and spreads primarily through close physical contact, including direct skin-to-skin contact and sharing personal items such as bedding, towels and clothing, ADHS noted. The virus is classified into two main clades: Clade I, which is endemic to Central Africa, and Clade II, associated with West Africa.
Recent Outbreaks And Statistics
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Clade II drove the global outbreak that began in 2022, causing more than 114,000 infections worldwide and roughly 37,500 cases in the United States. ADHS data show Arizona recorded 582 mpox cases in 2022, 20 in 2023, 66 in 2024 and 17 last year.
Clade I is behind a separate outbreak that began in Central Africa in late 2023 and has since spread internationally, with more than 55,000 confirmed cases and over 150 deaths reported since January 2024. The CDC also reported that Clade I detections in the United States have risen since March, with more than 20 cases identified as of June.
Public Health Response
ADHS and local health officials are conducting contact monitoring and follow-up to limit potential spread. At this time, investigators say there is no evidence the infection resulted from local transmission. People with questions or symptoms consistent with mpox should contact their healthcare provider or local health department for guidance.
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