Connecticut Confirms First Case Of Clade I Mpox

CONNECTICUT — State health officials announced Wednesday they have identified the first case of clade I mpox in Connecticut.

The person recently traveled to Western Europe, where clade I mpox is currently spreading, according to the state Department of Public Health.

The case was confirmed through testing at the State Public Health Laboratory.

Health officials said the Connecticut case does not pose a risk to the public.

Officials said the virus has impacted gay and bisexual men more than other groups.

The department urged people who may be at risk to get vaccinated.

DPH Commissioner Manisha Juthani said the vaccine is “safe, effective, and widely available.”

"Mpox hasn't gone away, and we want people to be protected, especially as many in our community prepare for travel, festivals, and gatherings this summer," Juthani said. “Completing the two-dose series is the best way to protect yourself and your partners."

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There are two types of the mpox virus: clade I and clade II.

According to the Department of Public Health, Clade II has been spreading in the U.S. and around the world since a large outbreak in 2022. Clade I has mainly caused outbreaks in Central and Eastern Africa and has recently been found in Western Europe.

Since November 2024, more than 20 clade I mpox cases have been reported in the U.S. in people who traveled to affected areas or had close contact with someone who did, officials said.

The virus causes a rash and spreads mainly through direct skin-to-skin contact. Other potential symptoms include fever, chills, headache, sore throat, and swollen lymph nodes.

For more information on the disease, visit the DPH website or the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.