The UK has identified two more cases of a newly emerging variant of mpox, referred to as clade 1b, increasing the national total to three. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) announced that these cases were among household contacts of the first patient, who tested positive in London on October 30 after returning from an African country severely impacted by mpox.
Dr. Susan Hopkins, UKHSA’s chief medical adviser, stated that household transmission is common with close contact, making these additional cases expected. Hopkins emphasized that although the risk to the wider UK public is currently low, contact tracing efforts are underway to prevent further spread.
Only a few cases of this clade 1b variant have been recorded in Europe, including instances in Sweden and Germany. The UKHSA is working closely with health authorities to monitor and control the situation.
Clade 1b is notable for its potentially higher severity compared to other mpox strains seen in the UK since 2022. The variant is associated with more severe symptoms and poses heightened risks for vulnerable groups, such as pregnant women, where infection can lead to complications like miscarriage.
Common mpox symptoms include a rash with pus-filled lesions, fever, muscle aches, and fatigue. The variant was first identified in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) last year, where it has infected over 25,000 individuals and caused more than 1,000 deaths. The World Health Organization classified mpox as a global health emergency earlier this year.
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