#18,593
For the second time this week (see here), and the third time in the last 10 days (see here), the UK has announced a new imported clade Ib Mpox case. Between imported (n=5), and locally acquired cases (n=3), today makes the 8th confirmed report from the UK since October.
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.
The report from the UK HSA follows:
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 London and the individual is now under specialist care at the Royal Free Hospital High Consequence Infectious Diseases unit. 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 eighth 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 Merav Kliner, Incident Director at UKHSA, said:
The risk to the UK population remains low. Close contacts have been identified and offered appropriate advice in order to reduce the chance of further 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 confirmed cases.
Further updates on clade Ib mpox case numbers will be published on the following page: Confirmed cases of mpox clade Ib in United Kingdom.
