MPOX TRACKER

Three hospitalized cases of clade I mpox recently identified in California have raised alarms about the United States’ capacity to respond to emerging infectious diseases amid political and funding instability. In an interview with The Hill, former Centers for Disease Control and Prevention principal Dr. Demetre Daskalakis and Human Rights Campaign Senior Policy Advocate Matthew Rose warned that ongoing budget cuts and the possibility of a federal government shutdown could severely disrupt surveillance, testing, and vaccination systems.

Clade I mpox typically causes more severe illness than the clade II strain that spread globally in 2022. Daskalakis explained that without widely available diagnostic tools, identifying clade I infections requires multiple testing steps, delaying public health response. He stressed the need for enhanced surveillance, rapid case investigation, and targeted vaccination for populations most at risk, particularly men who have sex with men and sex workers.

Rose echoed concerns about limited resources and coordination, noting that reduced federal support could delay vaccine distribution and outreach to vulnerable communities. He emphasized that cases of clade II mpox continue to circulate, making it even more critical for at-risk groups to stay vaccinated and for health agencies to maintain communication and trust.

Both experts reflected on lessons from the 2022 outbreak, when coordinated efforts across HIV, sexually transmitted infection, housing, and mental health systems enabled rapid vaccine delivery and public education. Daskalakis cautioned that cuts to these same systems could leave the nation unprepared to manage new cases effectively.

The California detections serve as a warning: sustained investment in diagnostics, community engagement, and interagency coordination is essential to prevent a resurgence of severe mpox infections and safeguard national public health preparedness.