SAN FRANCISCO, CA – The San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) is aware San Mateo County Health is responding to a case of clade I mpox, the first known case in the United States. SFDPH along with Bay Area, state and federal partners continue to monitor clade I mpox in the United States. At this time, there are no reported cases of clade I in San Francisco. The risk of exposure for the public to clade I mpox remains very low.
In August 2024, the World Health Organization declared the clade I mpox outbreak in central and east Africa a public health emergency of international concern. The current outbreak is more widespread than any previous DRC outbreak, and clade I mpox has spread to some neighboring countries, including Burundi, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda. There have also been travel-associated cases in Germany, India, Kenya, Sweden, and Thailand.
There are two types of mpox: clade I and clade II, both are further differentiated into subclades 1a and 1b and IIa and IIb. In 2024 to date, there are just 31 confirmed cases of clade II in San Francisco.
The two-dose mpox vaccine provides the best protection against mpox. SFDPH strongly recommends based on the CDC eligibility criteria. Please visit our website sf.gov/mpox for recommendation information.
Individuals can receive their second dose of the mpox vaccine if it has been at least 28 days since their first dose. There is no need to restart the two-dose series if it has been over 28 days since the first dose. Booster doses are not recommended at this time for those who have completed the two-dose series. In addition, mpox vaccination is not recommended at this time for those who have previously been infected.
The mpox vaccine is available through health systems and clinics. Those who do not have insurance or are having difficulty accessing care are welcome to visit SFDPH’s San Francisco City Clinic.
We will continue to update the community if further actions are needed to protect health. Please visit our website sf.gov/mpox to learn more.