by | Mar 20, 2026
Two Missouri residents have come down with clade I mpox – making them the first known cases in Missouri and the thirteenth and fourteenth cases nationally. The Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) says both people are adults and the cases are unrelated to one another.
A public health investigation showed that the two cases are not believed to be connected to any locally acquired mpox cases. A news release from the state agency says both residents had recent international travel to countries where mpox is more prevalent.
According to DHSS, this type of mpox virus started spreading globally in 2024 and has more recently caused outbreaks in Central and Eastern Africa.
Clade I is different from the clade II mpox virus that caused a widespread outbreak in 2022.
The clade I virus is more likely to cause severe illness and death, especially in people who have a weakened immune system.
The news release says clade II mpox has continued to circulate at low levels in the United States since 2022. Both types of the virus spread primarily through direct physical contact with a symptomatic person with mpox or through contact with used items contaminated with the mpox virus. The mpox virus is not spread through the air.
A person with mpox can spread the virus starting when they first develop symptoms, and they remain contagious until their rash has fully healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed.
“While risk to the general public remains low, mpox is still active,” State Epidemiologist Dr. George Turabelidze said in the news release. “We recommend those who are at risk for mpox infection to get vaccinated and ensure they complete the 2-dose series.”
The symptoms include an infectious rash that changes over time as a person’s illness progresses. The rash can look like pimples or blisters that are painful or itchy. Over time, the rash can spread, and then slowly the skin lesions develop a scab or crust before going away over several weeks. Other symptoms of mpox which may develop prior to a rash can include fever, chills, headache, exhaustion, muscle aches, sore throat, or swollen lymph nodes.
DHSS says vaccination reduces the risk of getting mpox and can reduce symptoms if infected. Those who have already had mpox do not need to get vaccinated.
If someone is experiencing symptoms of mpox, the department encourages them to contact their health care provider for testing. For anyone who has recently been in close contact with someone believed to have mpox, they are urged to get the vaccine as soon as possible and no later than 14 days after the exposure.
For more information about mpox, click here.
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