Mpox Clade 1b Arrives in Sao Paulo

The Ministry of Health for the State of São Paulo recently confirmed its first patient infected with Mpox Clade 1b. The infection was confirmed in early March 2025 in an adult woman in the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo.

According to the media statement of March 10, 2025, she is expected to be discharged next week.

The patient had not traveled to outbreak areas in Africa but had contact with individuals from the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the virus is endemic. 

"No secondary cases have been identified as yet. The municipal surveillance team is keeping track of possible contacts," the Ministry's Edjalma Borg statement reads.

Mpox has been considered endemic in Africa since the 1970s.

In May 2022, Mpox Clade 2 cases were detected in numerous countries, including the United States. Since July 2024, cases of Clade 1b have been identified in several countries, such as England.

According to various studies, Mpox vaccinations help prevent severe disease.