A case of mpox, previously referred to as monkeypox, has been identified in the UK, linked to an ongoing outbreak in certain African regions. This instance is associated with the Clade 1b strain, known to transmit more readily between individuals. The World Health Organization has classified mpox as a global health emergency in Africa.
The individual in the UK had recently traveled to Africa and began experiencing symptoms roughly one day after returning home. Initial flu-like symptoms emerged on October 21, followed by the development of a rash three days later. The patient is currently receiving care at the Royal Free Hospital’s specialized unit for high consequence infectious diseases located in London.
Several African nations, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Burundi, and Rwanda, have reported cases of Clade 1b mpox. Health authorities are actively tracing the contacts of the patient, which involves fewer than ten individuals including housemates.
Prof. Susan Hopkins, chief medical adviser at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), noted that this marks the first detection of this specific clade of mpox within the UK, although similar cases have been confirmed internationally. She reassured that the overall risk to the UK public remains low and emphasized that efforts are underway to identify close contacts swiftly to mitigate any possible transmission risk.
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