Israel’s Health Ministry reported on Tuesday that the country’s first case of infection with the Clade 1b strain of monkeypox has been identified in a traveler returning from abroad.
The case was detected about a week ago, and according to the ministry, it involves a more aggressive strain of the virus that reemerged in Israel and worldwide several years ago.
The Health Ministry emphasized that no additional cases have been identified so far. However, at this stage, there are no vaccines in stock, and “the ministry is working to renew the supply and improve access for at-risk groups.”
Over the past year, the outbreak of the monkeypox B1 strain has continued and expanded geographically across Africa and beyond. Since late 2025, community transmission of the strain has been identified for the first time, on an unclear scale, in Western countries in the US and Europe, primarily among men who have sex with men.
The strain has been linked to person-to-person transmission through sexual intercourse and other forms of close physical contact. Evidence suggests that this strain is significantly less lethal than the original strain known in Africa. Currently approved monkeypox vaccines are effective against this strain and are expected to protect against severe illness.
At this time, there is still some uncertainty about the clinical characteristics of the B1 strain, particularly its contagiousness and clinical severity, due to the limited number of cases identified so far in Western countries. Based on available data, infections with this strain in Africa have been documented among adults of both sexes as well as children.
In the event of infection, a widespread blistering rash may appear across the body, not just in intimate areas, as seen with previous strains of the virus. In addition, early evidence from patients infected with the strain in Africa points to a higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms.
Dr. Roei Zucker, an infectious diseases specialist, said, “Today we were informed of the identification of the first case in Israel of the new monkeypox strain Clade 1b. According to the assessments, this case arrived from the United Arab Emirates."
“This aligns with professional data showing that community transmission has been taking place in the United Arab Emirates for some time, and recently we have also been seeing the spread of this strain in additional Western countries."
Vaccines effective against new mpox strain
Zucker continued, “What is the situation regarding vaccines? The good news is that the existing vaccines, which many of us are already familiar with, have been found to be effective against this strain and are expected to protect against severe illness."
"The challenge is that, as of this moment, there has been no vaccine stock available in Israel for over half a year. To the best of my knowledge, there is currently no expected arrival date, and we continue to raise this issue with the Health Ministry. Until vaccines arrive, responsibility first and foremost lies with us. It is important to know that infection with this strain occurs through close skin-to-skin contact, mainly during sexual intercourse. Therefore, precisely now, we must demonstrate vigilance and community responsibility.”
“Pay attention to changes in the body,” Zucker told Walla. “This strain is sometimes characterized by a more widespread rash on the body, not only in intimate areas. Suspect something? No sex. If you notice a new lesion, blister, or suspicious rash, refrain from sexual intercourse and close physical contact. In addition, get tested. Do not remain in doubt. See a doctor for diagnosis. Rapid diagnosis interrupts chains of transmission and protects us all.”