First case of deadly mpox strain detected in UK with symptoms to look out for

The first UK case of a potentially lethal strain of the mpox virus has been identified in London. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has reassured that the risk to the UK population from the Clade Ib mpox strain "remains low".

The individual had recently returned from a holiday in Africa, travelling back to the UK on an overnight flight on October 21. They began experiencing flu-like symptoms more than 24 hours later and developed a worsening rash by October 24.

On October 27, they sought help at a London emergency department where they were swabbed, tested, and sent home to isolate while awaiting results. They have since been moved to the Royal Free Hospital's high consequence infectious diseases unit for treatment.

The UKHSA is currently tracing fewer than 10 people who are believed to have come into contact with the patient. These include household contacts, although the exact number of people needing to be contact traced is still being determined.

Mpox transmission occurs through close contact, including direct contact with rash, skin lesions or scabs caused by the virus, as well as through sexual contact, kissing, cuddling or other skin-to-skin contact. There is also a risk from contact with bodily fluids such as saliva or snot; contact with bedding or towels or clothing; and a possibility of spread through close and prolonged face-to-face contact such as talking, breathing, coughing, or sneezing.

The UK is on alert as cases of a rash-afflicted sickness, marked by skin rashes with blisters, spots or ulcers, fever, headaches, backache, and muscle aches, emerges. The ailment usually announces its presence with a fever, headache, and other symptoms preceding the rash, which surfaces one to five days later.

Clade Ib mpox has seen widespread activity in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) recently and reports have surfaced from nations including Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Sweden, India, and Germany. As of early September, the virus has been linked to over 600 fatalities.

With the situation escalating, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has sounded the alarm, declaring a public health emergency of international concern due to the swift proliferation of this mpox variant.

UK Health Security Agency's (UKHSA) Chief Medical Adviser, Professor Susan Hopkins, acknowledged the benefits of precise monitoring, saying: "It is thanks to our surveillance that we have been able to detect this virus."

Emphasising the gravity of the discovery, she added, "This is the first time we have detected this Clade of mpox in the UK, though other cases have been confirmed abroad."

However, she reassured the public by stating, "The risk to the UK population remains low, and we are working rapidly to trace close contacts and reduce the risk of any potential spread."

Assuring further response measures, she remarked, "In accordance with established protocols, investigations are underway to learn how the individual acquired the infection and to assess whether there are any further associated cases."

Wes Streeting, the Health and Social Care Secretary, expressed his gratitude towards frontline medical staff: "I am extremely grateful to the healthcare professionals who are carrying out incredible work to support and care for the patient affected. The overall risk to the UK population currently remains low and the government is working alongside UKHSA and the NHS to protect the public and prevent transmission.

"This includes securing vaccines and equipping healthcare professionals with the guidance and tools they need to respond to cases safely. We are also working with our international partners to support affected countries to prevent further outbreaks."

According to the UKHSA, the UK has an existing stock of mpox vaccines and last month announced further vaccines are being procured. This strain of mpox is different from mpox Clade II that has been circulating at low levels in the UK since 2022, primarily among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men.

The UKHSA said that while the existing evidence suggests mpox Clade Ib causes more severe disease than Clade II, it will continue to monitor it and learn more. It said it will initially manage Clade Ib as a high consequence infectious disease.

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