A new case of the Clade Ib mpox variant has been detected in England, bringing the total to six since October 2024. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) announced that the infection, found in East Sussex, is unrelated to the previous cases in the country. 

The patient, who recently returned from Uganda where community transmission of Clade Ib is ongoing, is receiving specialist care at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust. Despite this, UKHSA Deputy Director Dr. Meera Chand emphasized that the risk to the UK population remains low.

The UKHSA is working with partner organizations to trace the patient’s close contacts. Those identified will be offered testing and vaccination as necessary to prevent further spread. Individuals will also receive guidance on monitoring symptoms and additional care if needed. The agency reassures that healthcare professionals are well-prepared to handle any future cases due to extensive planning.

Clade Ib mpox, also known as monkeypox, has been reported in several African countries in recent months, with imported cases appearing in Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Sweden, and the U.S. This variant, declared a global health emergency by the World Health Organization (WHO) in August, typically spreads through close physical contact, contact with infected animals, or sexual transmission. Symptoms include a skin rash or pus-filled lesions lasting two to four weeks, along with fever, headaches, muscle aches, back pain, low energy, and swollen lymph nodes. While most cases are mild, the illness can lead to severe complications or death, particularly in newborns, children, pregnant individuals, and those with weakened immune systems, such as advanced HIV patients.

The Clade Ib strain was first identified in 2023 in a mining town in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In response to its emergence, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention declared a public health emergency. Between January 2022 and November 2024, the WHO recorded 263 laboratory-confirmed mpox-related deaths across 82 countries, with over 117,000 cases globally. Among these, approximately 17,500 cases were reported in 25 African nations, primarily in the DRC, which accounted for 9,513 cases and 87 deaths since the beginning of 2023.

Although mpox infections are generally low risk in the UK, the UKHSA’s vigilance highlights the importance of monitoring emerging variants and taking preventive measures to curb transmission.

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