The Argentine Ministry of Health has confirmed the country's first case of monkeypox (Mpox) Clade Ib in a 31-year-old man residing in Buenos Aires, who has no travel history. The patient is being treated on an outpatient basis and is recovering well. This case marks a significant development as Clade Ib is known for its higher severity and contagious nature compared to previously reported strains.

Previously, by 2026, Argentina had documented five cases of monkeypox, all from Clade II, with four in the City of Buenos Aires and one in Río Negro. The Ministry of Health emphasized the importance of enhancing health surveillance and care protocols following this first Clade Ib case amid a global expansion of the virus. Experts and health officials stress that the healthcare systems need to remain vigilant in light of the heightened severity associated with this clade.

The emergence of Clade Ib coincides with an increase in cases reported globally, including 14 cases confirmed in the Americas region alone in 2026, with the majority occurring in the United States. Transmission has also been documented in France and other countries, suggesting a need for international cooperation and monitoring to manage the spread of the virus. This new strain underscores the importance of public health measures as countries combat the ongoing threat of monkeypox.