First Mpox case of new 'killer' strain found in UK as urgent warning issued

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The first case of the potentially deadly Mpox virus has been found in the UK, according to experts.

A possible fatal strain of the virus has been found in London after a person travelled back to the UK from a trip to Africa, reports the Mirror.

The risk to the UK population from the Clade Ib mpox strain “remains low” the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said.

The holidaymakers landed back in the UK on an overnight flight on October 21 before developing flu-like symptoms more than 24 hours later.

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Then on October 24, the individual began developing a rash which got worse over the next few days. They attended the emergency department in London on October 27.

Health officials took swab samples and sent the patient home to isolate whilst they waited on the lab results, the PA news agency reports. The person has now been transferred to the Royal Free Hospital where they are being treated in the high-consequence infectious diseases unit.

The UKHSA said that the patient is thought to have come into contact with fewer than 10 people and they are initially being traced.

These 10 are all "household contacts" the authority said, though the UKHSA is “still working” on the number of people it may have to contact trace.

Mpox virus requires close contact between people to spread.

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