JJapan

Kobe: Woman in her 20s infected with Empox “Clade I” – first confirmed case in Japan

  • September 16, 2025

Kobe: Woman in her 20s infected with Empox “Clade I” – first confirmed case in Japan

by ZaBlancJake

6 comments

  1. >女性にはアフリカへの渡航歴があることから、市はアフリカで感染したと推定されるとしています。

    Ok, as long as be careful on people who came back from Africa recently.

  2. Kobe: Woman in Her 20s Infected With Mpox “Clade Ib” – First Case Confirmed in Japan

    September 16, 2025, 7:06 p.m.

    The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare and Kobe City announced that a woman in her 20s who visited a medical institution in the city has been confirmed to be infected with mpox (formerly known as monkeypox), specifically the “Clade Ib” type, which has been spreading mainly in Central Africa. This is the first time this virus type has been confirmed in Japan.

    According to the ministry and the city, the woman, who reported symptoms such as rash and fever, visited a medical institution in Kobe on September 12. Genetic testing of the virus confirmed that she was infected with the Clade Ib type, which has been spreading in Central Africa since two years ago. This is the first confirmation of this type of virus in Japan.

    Because the woman had a history of travel to Africa, the city believes she was infected there. Her condition is reported to be stable.

    Mpox is thought to spread through contact with body fluids or blood of infected people or animals. Kobe City stated that in this case, there is no evidence of further spread of infection.

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    What is Mpox “Clade Ib”?

    The virus type identified this time, Clade Ib, has been spreading mainly in the Democratic Republic of Congo since two years ago. It is different from Clade IIb, which caused a global outbreak three years ago, primarily in the United States and Europe.

    According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), since last year, more than 40,000 infections and over 100 deaths have been reported in the DRC from this outbreak.

    Japan’s National Institute for Health Crisis Management notes that although Clade Ib was initially thought to have a higher fatality rate than Clade IIb, with appropriate treatment the fatality rate is now estimated at less than 1%. Outside Africa, no deaths from Clade Ib have been reported.

    For both types, the main route of transmission is sexual contact, but there have also been reports of household transmission through close contact.

    The incubation period is about 1 to 2 weeks. After onset, symptoms include fever, headache, and muscle pain, followed by rash over the body and genital area. With appropriate treatment, recovery is expected in 2 to 4 weeks, though people with weakened immunity are at higher risk of severe illness.

    Studies abroad show that smallpox vaccines are effective in preventing mpox. Vaccination within 4 days after exposure can prevent infection, and within 2 weeks can reduce severity. In Japan, a system is in place to administer domestic vaccines to people who may have been exposed.

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    Ministry of Health: “Do Not Overreact – Follow Basic Infection Measures”

    Since autumn 2023, a newer virus type considered more likely to cause severe illness has been spreading widely in Central Africa. In response, the WHO declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern last year.

    However, with vaccination campaigns and other countermeasures in affected regions, the number of infections and deaths has steadily declined. On September 5 this year, the WHO declared the emergency ended, saying it no longer constitutes an international health crisis.

    As of September 12, 2025, Japan has confirmed 254 cases of mpox, including one death. With this newly confirmed Clade Ib case, the total now stands at 255.

    The Ministry of Health stated:

    > “Although this infection involves a different group of viruses, Japan already has nationwide systems for testing, treatment, and vaccination. We ask the public not to overreact, and not to harbor prejudice or discrimination toward patients. If you experience fever, rash, or other unusual symptoms, please consult a nearby medical institution and continue basic infection-control measures.”

  5. So she got infected in Africa, didn’t know an came back carrying it. Based on how it spreads there’s little risk of others getting it correct?

  6. I thought they were gonna pin it on immigrants from Africa, who spread it to Japanese people. 
    Glad to see they stuck to the facts

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