Fifth person with mpox confirmed in England
November 29, 2024
The UK has confirmed its fifth case of Clade 1b mpox, a more severe strain spreading in central and eastern Africa, in a traveler returning from Uganda. The individual is being treated in Sheffield, with close contacts offered testing and vaccination. UK health officials emphasize that the risk to the public remains low, thanks to rapid detection and containment measures. Clade 1b has spread across multiple African nations and prompted a global health emergency declaration by the WHO in August. Vaccination campaigns in affected regions are underway to curb the outbreak, while imported cases in countries like the UK remain limited.
A fifth case of Clade 1b mpox, a more severe strain of the virus circulating in parts of central and eastern Africa, has been confirmed in the UK. The infected individual recently returned from Uganda and is currently receiving treatment in Sheffield. While four other cases were reported in London within the same household, all have since recovered. Health officials are tracing close contacts of the Leeds case and offering testing and vaccination to mitigate any potential spread. The UK Health Security Agency reassures the public that the risk remains low, citing swift detection and response efforts.
Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, often presents with fever, headaches, and fatigue followed by a painful rash and lesions. The Clade 1 strain is more serious than the Clade 2 strain previously seen in the UK, though most individuals recover fully. Clade 1b, the variant behind this outbreak, has spread from the Democratic Republic of Congo to neighboring countries such as Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, and Kenya, prompting the WHO to declare a global health emergency in August.
While imported cases have been detected in countries including Sweden, Germany, India, and the US, there has been little onward transmission outside of Africa. Efforts to contain the outbreak in the hardest-hit regions are ongoing, with millions of vaccines being distributed to central and eastern Africa.
The emergence of Clade 1b in the UK underscores the interconnectedness of global health challenges and the importance of robust surveillance and vaccination strategies. By acting quickly, health authorities aim to prevent further spread and protect public health while supporting international efforts to control the outbreak at its source.