The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is looking into a possible local spread of a more severe strain of the mpox virus after confirming a third local case in a person who has not traveled to a country where the virus is usually found.

"The confirmation of a third case with no travel history raises concerns about possible local spread in Los Angeles County," Dr. Muntu Davis, Los Angeles County Health Officer, said in a statement. "We’re working closely with our partners to identify potential sources and understand how this potentially more serious type of the mpox virus may be spreading."

This week, the department confirmed a case of clade I mpox in an adult who officials say was hospitalized and now recovering at home. Long Beach, which has its own public health departmen

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