#18,409
Three weeks ago the UKHSA announced that while - `Mpox remains a serious infection for some individuals and remains a World Health Organization (WHO) public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC)' - the Clade I Mpox No Longer Meets the Criteria of a High Consequence Infectious Disease (HCID) in the UK.
Today the UK announced their 11th confirmed mpox Clade Ib case (see below).
What sets this case apart is - all previously reported cases have had recent travel to endemic countries, or known exposure to someone who has - while this case has neither.
Last updated 7 April 2025
Latest update
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has detected a single confirmed human case of Clade Ib mpox where the case had no reported travel history and no reported link with previously confirmed cases in the UK.
More work is ongoing to determine where the individual, who is resident in the North East of England, may have caught the infection.
The individual was diagnosed in March, all contacts have been followed up and no further cases identified. The risk to the UK population remains low. Clade Ia and Ib mpox are no longer classified as a high consequence infectious disease (HCID).
UKHSA has robust mechanisms in place to investigate suspected cases of mpox of all clade types, irrespective of travel history.
All previous cases in the UK to date have either travelled to an affected country or have a link to someone that has.
Common symptoms of mpox include a skin rash or pus-filled lesions which can last 2 to 4 weeks. It can also cause fever, headaches, muscle aches, back pain, low energy and swollen lymph nodes.
Further information about symptoms is available on the NHS website.
UKHSA Mpox Incident Director Dr Gillian Armstrong said:The risk to the UK population from mpox remains low.
The majority of people who have presented with symptoms report close physical contact, including massages, or sex prior to developing symptoms.
Regardless of whether you have travelled or not, it is important to remain alert to the risks. Anyone who thinks they may have mpox should contact NHS 111 for advice on what to do.
While mpox infection is mild for many, it can be severe for some and UKHSA is committed to preventing its spread within the UK.
Whether this turns out to be a one-off event, or an early indication of community transmission, remains to be seen.
Stay tuned.
