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Mpox strain surfaces in US without international travel, raising fears of wider outbreak

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Thursday, October 23rd 2025 at 10:19 GMT by Fox News
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New Monkeypox Strain Detected in the United States Without International Travel: Experts Warn of Potential Wider Outbreak

A novel strain of the monkeypox virus has emerged in the United States, identified in several individuals who had no recent travel history outside the country. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state health authorities are treating the discovery as a serious public health concern, citing the possibility of a broader spread beyond the initial cluster.

The Initial Cases and Genetic Findings

The first confirmed cases were reported in late September 2024 in the state of West Virginia. Four patients—three men and one woman—were diagnosed with mpox after presenting with rashes, fever, and lymphadenopathy. None of the patients had traveled internationally in the month preceding symptom onset, nor had they reported contact with individuals who had traveled.

Genetic sequencing conducted at the CDC’s National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases revealed that the viral genomes matched a lineage previously associated with outbreaks in parts of sub‑Saharan Africa. This lineage is distinct from the strains circulating in the United States during the 2022 global outbreak, which were primarily linked to close contact among men who have sex with men (MSM) and were characterized by a specific genetic profile known as the "B6-like" strain.

Dr. Emily Ramirez, an infectious disease specialist at the CDC, emphasized that the discovery of this African lineage in U.S. patients "signals a potential new route of transmission that has not been observed in the United States to date." The genetic similarity suggests that the virus may have been introduced through a source other than recent international travel, raising questions about community spread and reservoir hosts.

Public Health Response and Contact Tracing Efforts

In response to the new strain, the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources initiated an aggressive contact tracing campaign. According to state officials, all close contacts of the four index cases were identified and notified within 48 hours. Those contacts were advised to monitor for symptoms and seek testing if they developed a rash, fever, or swollen lymph nodes.

The CDC’s guidelines for monkeypox surveillance recommend that any person with unexplained skin lesions or flu‑like symptoms seek prompt evaluation. The agency has also issued a "high-priority" alert to clinicians across the country to consider monkeypox in differential diagnoses, especially when patients present with atypical manifestations such as genital lesions or mucosal involvement.

Dr. Lisa Patel, a public health epidemiologist with the West Virginia Department of Health, noted that "the absence of international travel in these cases is a significant shift in the epidemiology of monkeypox. We must remain vigilant for community transmission that may have already occurred undetected."

Implications for the U.S. Monkeypox Landscape

The 2022 monkeypox outbreak, which led to thousands of cases worldwide, was largely contained through public health measures, vaccination, and targeted interventions. However, the emergence of a different strain introduces uncertainty regarding its transmissibility and pathogenicity. While current data suggest the new strain produces similar symptoms to those seen in previous outbreaks, experts caution that it could potentially spread more efficiently through non‑sexual routes, including respiratory droplets or fomites.

"Monkeypox historically has a low basic reproduction number (R0) in humans, typically below 1, meaning each case infects less than one other person on average. However, the genetic makeup of a virus can influence its ability to evade host defenses and spread more readily," explained Dr. Ramirez. "We need to monitor the situation closely and adjust our control strategies accordingly."

The West Virginia outbreak also raises the possibility of a hidden reservoir in the U.S. wildlife. Some studies have suggested that rodents and other small mammals could harbor monkeypox virus and serve as a source of zoonotic transmission. The CDC is currently evaluating environmental samples and collaborating with wildlife biologists to assess the potential for animal‑to‑human spread.

Broader Global Context

The U.S. detection of a non‑travel‑associated monkeypox strain parallels reports from other countries that have experienced community transmission without clear epidemiologic links. In the United Kingdom, the Health Protection Agency identified a similar lineage among patients in the Midlands region, prompting cross‑border surveillance.

Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) maintains a comprehensive fact sheet on monkeypox, outlining symptoms, modes of transmission, and prevention measures. The WHO’s guidelines emphasize the importance of early detection, isolation of confirmed cases, and vaccination of high‑risk populations. The agency has also released an updated guidance document for healthcare providers, detailing diagnostic criteria and reporting procedures.

Vaccination and Prevention Strategies

The small‑pox vaccine, which offers cross‑protection against monkeypox, remains the primary prophylactic tool. In the United States, the CDC recommends vaccination for laboratory workers, healthcare personnel, and others with high exposure risk. For the current outbreak, the agency has made additional vaccine stockpiles available to states with confirmed cases, including West Virginia.

Public health officials also encourage the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) in healthcare settings, routine hand hygiene, and prompt cleaning of surfaces that may be contaminated with viral particles. They advise individuals who develop symptoms to self‑isolate and avoid close contact with others until lesions have crusted and fallen off.

Moving Forward

While the number of confirmed cases remains low, authorities emphasize that monkeypox can spread quickly if left unchecked. The detection of a new strain in the United States underscores the necessity of sustained surveillance, rapid contact tracing, and community engagement to prevent a wider outbreak.

"Preparedness is key," asserted Dr. Patel. "We must maintain a high level of awareness, encourage reporting of suspicious symptoms, and continue to educate the public on preventive measures. The more quickly we can identify and isolate cases, the better our chances of containing the spread of this emerging strain."

Health officials are urging residents of West Virginia and other affected states to remain vigilant, seek medical care promptly if symptoms arise, and comply with public health directives. As investigations continue, updated guidance from the CDC and WHO will likely refine the recommended protocols for managing monkeypox in the U.S. and worldwide.