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The clade Ib Mpox virus which emerged last year in the DRC is reportedly more virulent, and potentially more transmissible, than the clade II mpox virus which began its world tour in the spring of 2022.
For that reason, it has been designated a high consequence infectious disease (HCID) in the UK, and its recent spread outside of Africa (to Sweden, India, Germany, and Thailand) has raised alarm bells.
Last week the UK became the 5th non-African nation to report an imported case in a traveler recently returned from Africa. On Monday, we learned that 2 of this patient's housemates had been infected. Today the UK's Health Security Agency has announced a third member of that household is receiving medical treatment for the infection.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirms additional cases of Clade Ib mpox.
From:UK Health Security Agenc yLast updated 6 November 2024 — See all updates
One further case of Clade Ib mpox has been detected in a household contact of the first case, the UK Health Security Agency (UKSHA) can confirm.
This brings the total number of confirmed cases to 4, all of which belong to the same household.
The patient is currently under specialist care at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust in London. The risk to the UK population remains low.
The patient has been isolating since identified as a contact of the first case and no additional contact tracing is required.
Professor Susan Hopkins, Chief Medical Adviser at UKHSA, said:
Mpox is very infectious in households with close contact and so it is not unexpected to see further cases within the same household.
The overall risk to the UK population remains low. We are working with partners to make sure all contacts of the cases are identified and contacted to reduce the risk of further spread.Contacts of cases are being followed up by UKHSA and partner organisations. All contacts will be offered testing and vaccination as needed and advised on any necessary further care if they have symptoms or test positive.There has been extensive planning underway to ensure healthcare professionals are equipped and prepared to respond to any further confirmed cases.organisations. All contacts will be offered testing and vaccination as needed and advised on any necessary further care if they have symptoms or test positive.
There has been extensive planning underway to ensure healthcare professionals are equipped and prepared to respond to any further confirmed cases.
