China Reports Mpox Infections Linked to Foreign Traveler

The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention announced on Thursday the identification of a cluster of mpox infections tied to a foreign traveler who had recently returned from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In response to these infections, health authorities in Zhejiang, Guangdong, Beijing, and Tianjin provinces have initiated coordinated efforts to manage the situation, which include conducting epidemiological investigations, assessing risks, and diagnosing cases.

Health officials confirmed that four cases are close contacts of the infected individual, all of whom are exhibiting mild symptoms such as skin rashes and lesions. Fortunately, no infections have been reported among general contacts. The individuals who tested positive, along with others identified as at risk, are receiving medical attention and are being closely monitored. Authorities have stated that the outbreak is currently under control.

The Clade Ib variant of mpox was initially identified in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in September 2023 and has since spread to neighboring countries as well as beyond Africa. According to the World Health Organization, mpox primarily spreads through close personal contact with an infected person, including interactions like skin-to-skin contact, kissing, and various forms of direct physical contact, placing household members at risk as well.