England's Mpox Cases Continues in June 2025
June 24, 2025
England is taking proactive steps to contain rising mpox cases, particularly from the newly emerged clade Ib, with 12 cases confirmed as of May 2025. Most infections are linked to travel from endemic countries, underscoring global interconnectedness in disease spread. In response, England will launch a new routine vaccination campaign in August 2025, combining pre-exposure mpox and gonorrhoea immunizations through sexual health clinics. This integrated approach—backed by WHO concerns over sustained international mpox transmission—marks a critical evolution in STI prevention. England’s timely action could serve as a model for other nations facing imported cases of mpox.
England is once again at the forefront of global health response, this time in addressing the resurgence of mpox amid the ongoing second Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) declared by the World Health Organization in August 2024. The re-emergence of mpox clade Ib in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and its spread to Europe has prompted swift action, particularly in England, which has reported 12 clade Ib cases linked to travel to endemic regions.
Recognizing the sexually transmitted nature of this outbreak, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is introducing an innovative dual vaccination campaign targeting both mpox and gonorrhoea. Set to begin in August 2025, and delivered through local sexual health clinics, this program will incorporate the FDA-approved mpox vaccine (Imvanex/JYNNEOS) and the Bexsero® vaccine for gonorrhoea. This forward-looking campaign not only addresses rising STI burdens but also integrates disease prevention strategies to reflect current epidemiological realities.
Between 2018 and 2021, the UK documented only seven mpox cases, most of them imported and without local transmission. The shift in 2025—with multiple clades now circulating—demonstrates the urgency of comprehensive pre-exposure prophylaxis. England’s approach, blending surveillance, vaccination, and education, mirrors lessons learned from the 2022 mpox outbreak and ongoing HIV prevention efforts.
As the WHO European Region continues to report over 200 mpox cases monthly, England’s integrated immunization strategy could become a global model. By prioritizing at-risk populations through sexual health services, the UK is setting a precedent for data-driven, equitable public health responses. Other countries facing imported mpox cases or potential domestic transmission should watch closely and consider similar interventions to curb the spread of clade Ib and clade IIb.