#18,575
Just over 5 months ago (Aug 14th) the WHO declared the Mpox outbreak in Central Africa to constitute a PHEIC (Public Health Emergency of International Concern) after reports that a recently emerged clade (Ib) of the virus had begun to spread outside of the DRC (see More African Nations Reporting Mpox - Africa CDC Mpox Update (Jul 30th)).
The clade Ib Mpox virus is reportedly more virulent, and potentially more transmissible, than the clade II mpox virus which began its world tour in the spring of 2022.
So far, we've seen 11 non-African nations report imported cases of this Mpox Ib clade; Sweden, Thailand, India, Germany, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the United States of America, Canada, Pakistan, Belgium, China, and France.
Several countries, including China, Belgium, Germany, France and the UK have reported limited secondary transmission.
Last month the WHO published a new, updated risk assessment, which puts the risk of national and international spread as HIGH.
Yesterday, the UK reported their 3rd imported case (and 6th case overall), in the following announcement.
Latest update on cases of Clade Ib mpox
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirms additional cases of Clade Ib mpox.
From:UK Health Security Agency Published 30 October 2024Last updated 20 January 2025 — See all updates
Latest update
A new case of clade Ib mpox has been detected in England, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) can confirm.
The case was detected in East Sussex and the individual is now under specialist care at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust. They had recently returned from Uganda, where there is currently community transmission of clade Ib mpox. The UKHSA and NHS will not be disclosing any further details about the individual.
The risk to the UK population remains low. In the context of the outbreak in parts of Africa, we expect to see the occasional imported case of clade Ib mpox in the UK.
This is the sixth case of clade Ib mpox confirmed in England since October 2024. This case has no links to the previous cases identified in England.
Close contacts of the case are being followed up by UKHSA and partner organisations. Contacts will be offered testing and vaccination where needed to prevent further infections and they will be advised on any necessary further care if they have symptoms or test positive.
Dr Meera Chand, Deputy Director at UKHSA, said:It is thanks to clinicians rapidly recognising the symptoms and the work of our specialist laboratory that we have been able to detect this new case.
The risk to the UK population remains low following this sixth case, and we are working rapidly to trace close contacts and reduce the risk of any potential spread.
Clade Ib mpox has been circulating in several countries in Africa in recent months. Imported cases have been detected in a number of countries including Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Sweden and the United States.
There has been extensive planning undertaken to ensure healthcare professionals are equipped and prepared to respond to any further confirmed cases.
The Mpox virus continues to evolve, and we now have at least 4 clades of Mpox in circulation (I, Ib, II, IIb), with Clade Ia and Ib considered the most severe.
While the threat remains limited, as our collective immunity from the smallpox vaccine - which was discontinued in the late 1970s - wanes, there may be increased opportunities for pox viruses to make a comeback.
