There are currently two variants of the disease that are newer and more deadly – Clade 1 and Clade 2. The variants have been circulating since 2022.
According to official figures, over 1,000 cases of Clade 2 have been diagnosed in the United States, but no cases of Clade 1 have been reported.
After the World Health Organization declared the disease a global emergency on Wednesday, U.S. authorities announced they would send their Mpox vaccines to African countries most affected by the outbreak.
On Thursday, Swedish authorities announced the first case of the Clade 1 variant, an early sign that the variant had spread to Europe. Authorities said the patient had traveled to Africa.
“This disease is going to be with us now, so it’s important to know there are ways to protect yourself,” says Dr. Asha Shah of Stamford Health, who warns people against handling MPox. “Sometimes it can be very debilitating and very disfiguring. It’s transmitted through close contact, so skin-to-skin rubbing with someone who has a rash,” says Shah.
The double-administered vaccine provides protection against all current variants.
