The virus is primarily spread through close contact
The virus is primarily spread through close contact
A case of mpox has been detected in the UK, the UK Health Security Agency has said. The strain of the virus is part of the Clade 1b outbreak and is thought to be a more dangerous variant as it appears to spread more easily between people.
Mpox was declared a global health emergency by the World Health Organization in Africa. It was first detected in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) last year, and has since infected more than 25,000 people, and been responsible for the death of upwards of 1,000.
The infected UK patient had recently been on holiday in Africa and began to feel sick 24 hours after flying home. On October 21, the patient developed flu-like symptoms and a rash appeared three days later.
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They are currently being treated at the Royal Free Hospital’s specialist high consequence infectious diseases unit in London. The patient’s close contacts, which includes housemates, are being contact-traced. This is thought to be fewer than 10 people.
Professor Susan Hopkins, the chief medical adviser at UKHSA stated: “This is the first time we have detected this Clade of mpox in the UK, though other cases have been confirmed abroad
“The risk to the UK population remains low, and we are working rapidly to trace close contacts and reduce the risk of any potential spread.”
The strain of the virus is a different variant than the ones that have been circulating in the UK since 2022. It is primarily spread through close contact, such as sex, skin-to-skin contact and talking or breathing close to another person.
Mpox causes a characteristic lumpy rash with pus-filled lesions, fever, aches, and pains. It has also been linked to dangerous complications for pregnant women including miscarriage.
The Government website states that the UKHSA, the NHS and partner organisations have well tested capabilities to detect, contain and treat novel infectious diseases, and while this is the first confirmed case of mpox Clade Ib in the UK, there has been extensive planning underway to ensure healthcare professionals are equipped and prepared to respond to any confirmed cases.
The UK has an existing stock of mpox vaccines and last month announced further vaccines are being procured to support a routine immunisation programme to provide additional resilience in the UK. This is in line with more recent independent JCVI advice.
