First case of severe monkeypox infection recorded in US
The first case of infection with a severe strain of monkeypox has been identified in California.
The patient recently returned from East Africa, where cases of the virus have been reported.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the patient was infected with the clade I mpox strain, CNN reported, citing sources.
Doctors are tracking the patient's possible contacts to prevent the spread of the virus.
Monkeypox is a virus similar to smallpox. It can be transmitted through touching, close contact, kissing, contaminated objects, clothing, and bedding.
Symptoms of the disease include fever, weakness, chills and headache, followed by a rash and itching that disappears after a few weeks.
Doctors recommend avoiding contact with sick people and their belongings to reduce the risk of infection.
The threat of a massive spread of the severe strain in the United States remains minimal for now.
