Mpox Strain: UK Detects First Case of Highly Contagious

UK Detects First Case of Highly Contagious Mpox Strain Linked to Africa

The UK has reported its first case of a more transmissible strain of mpox, previously known as monkeypox. This case, part of the Clade 1b outbreak currently affecting certain African countries, is raising concern due to its increased ease of transmission from person to person.

The infected patient, who had recently traveled to Africa, began experiencing flu-like symptoms within a day of returning home on October 22.

Two days later, they developed a characteristic rash with pus-filled lesions. Clade 1b mpox, unlike its relative Clade 1a, can spread more readily through close physical contact, including intimate interactions. In contrast, Clade 1a is primarily associated with contact with infected animals or the consumption of bush meat.

The individual is currently receiving treatment at the Royal Free Hospital’s specialized infectious disease unit in London. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is actively tracing fewer than ten close contacts, including housemates, to contain any potential spread. This case represents the first detection of Clade 1b mpox in the UK, although other countries, including Sweden, India, and Germany, have recorded similar cases linked to recent travel.

Chief Medical Adviser at the UKHSA, Prof. Susan Hopkins, reassured the public, stating that the overall risk remains low and that efforts are underway to trace contacts and minimize transmission. Mpox, which was declared a global health emergency by the World Health Organization earlier this year, presents with symptoms such as fever, headaches, low energy, and a rash that may persist for up to a month.

In African nations like the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Burundi, and Rwanda, Clade 1b cases have been reported throughout the year. Though Clade 1b appears milder than Clade 1a, precise infection rates are difficult to determine due to limited data. This particular strain differs from the Clade II mpox outbreak that affected gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men in 2022.

UK Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting has affirmed that the government, alongside UKHSA and the NHS, is securing vaccines and equipping healthcare workers to manage cases effectively and prevent further transmission.