A single human case of Clade Ib mpox has been confirmed in the UK today (30 October), although the risk remains low to population health, said the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
This is the first occurrence of this clade type in the country, whereas mpox Clade II has circulated in the UK at low levels since 2022. The variant is a far deadlier version of the virus than the one that caused the global outbreak in 2022, brought under control in Europe through direct engagement with gay, bisexual and other men-who-have-sex-with-men (GBMSM).
“While this is the first confirmed case of mpox Clade Ib in the UK, there has been extensive planning underway to ensure healthcare professionals are equipped and prepared to respond to any confirmed cases,” said the UKHSA, in a press briefing.
Professor Susan Hopkins, Chief Medical Adviser at UKHSA said that “investigations are underway” to learn how the individual acquired the infection and whether it has been tied to any additional cases.
Clade Ib mpox has been widely circulating in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). It was declared a WHO public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) on 14 August, with additional cases reported in Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya.
So far, only two other cases have been detected in Europe: one in Germany and another in Sweden.