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What to know about NYC's first case of severe mpox strain
By
Ryan Kost
Published Mar 14, 2026
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CDC/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
By
Ryan Kost
Published Mar 14, 2026
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New York City health officials have confirmed the city’s first case of a more severe strain of the mpox virus than the one that drove a global outbreak in 2022.
The case is travel-related, and the city's Department of Health said there is no known local transmission at this time.
Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, spreads through close or intimate contact, including hugging or cuddling. It's not classified as a sexually transmitted infection, but in the United States the disease has primarily spread among the LGBTQ+ community through sex between men and other forms of close contact
The strain identified by health officials is called clade I, which can cause more severe symptoms and can be more fatal than clade II, the strain behind the 2022 outbreak responsible for 4,000 cases in the city.
The most common symptom is a painful rash, which can appear on the hands, feet, chest, face or near the genitals. Patients may also experience fever, chills and other flu-like symptoms.
Health officials are urging people at risk to get the two-dose JYNNEOS vaccine, which can lower the chance of infection and reduce symptoms.
People who may benefit include men who have sex with men, trans and nonbinary people. The city says anyone planning to travel to countries where the virus is spreading should also consider a vaccine.
Vaccination sites are available at nyc.gov/mpox, or call 311 for assistance.
Tagged
Health and Science
public safety
Ryan Kost
Ryan Kost is a reporter on the day-of news desk, where he covers breaking news and writes enterprise stories about jails, courts, prosecutors and government accountability. His work focuses on the public institutions that shape life in New York. Before joining the newsroom, he lead a multi-part investigation with Columbia Journalism Investigations and New York Focus into how New York prosecutors handle wrongful conviction claims. He's also been a staff writer at The San Francisco Chronicle, The Associated Press and The Oregonian. Got a tip? Signal: ryankost.20
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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