Hospital contacts patients and staff over mpox case
April 17, 2025
Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge is investigating possible mpox exposure after a confirmed patient visited its emergency department. The hospital has contacted 30 patients and 20 staff who may have been in close proximity to assess risk and determine whether vaccines or symptom monitoring are necessary. The patient is now isolating at home. Though mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, was recently downgraded from a high-consequence infectious disease classification, it remains a public health concern due to its potential for close-contact transmission. UK Health Security Agency has been informed, and authorities stress that the public’s risk remains low.
Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge has initiated a precautionary review after a person infected with mpox visited the emergency department on Saturday. In response, the hospital has contacted 30 patients and 20 staff members who may have been in close proximity to the infected individual. The Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Trust stated that there is no cause for public concern and that only those deemed potentially exposed will be contacted.
The patient, now isolating at home, was identified shortly after their visit. Authorities are conducting a thorough risk assessment to determine which contacts, based on proximity, age, and medical vulnerability, should be offered vaccination or advised to monitor for symptoms. Common mpox symptoms include fever, muscle aches, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, and a characteristic rash or pus-filled lesions.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has been notified. This comes after the UK reclassified mpox in April, removing it from the list of high-consequence infectious diseases, due to its relatively low mortality rate and the availability of interventions such as vaccines and symptom management.
While mpox is most common in parts of central and eastern Africa, imported cases and occasional community spread have prompted continued surveillance in the UK. Transmission can occur via close physical contact, contaminated items, or contact with infected animals, such as rodents.
CUH officials emphasized that the general risk to the UK public remains low. However, the incident underscores the importance of continued vigilance, rapid case detection, and tailored public health responses in healthcare settings, especially given the virus’s ability to spread through close contact.
This local response illustrates the critical role of hospital systems in containing potential outbreaks and ensuring appropriate post-exposure measures are taken to safeguard patients, staff, and the broader community.