New case of mpox variant clade lb detected in England
January 31, 2025
The United Kingdom has confirmed its eighth Clade 1b mpox case, linked to recent travel from Uganda, where community transmission remains active. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) maintains that the overall risk to the public remains low but acknowledges that imported cases are expected given the outbreak in parts of Africa. With the World Health Organization classifying Clade 1b as a global health emergency, the continued detection of cases underscores the need for vigilant border health measures, proactive public health response, and enhanced global cooperation to prevent further international spread.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has reported its eighth confirmed Clade 1b mpox case since October, marking another instance of international transmission linked to the outbreak in Africa. The latest case, detected in London, involves a patient who recently traveled from Uganda, where the variant remains in active community circulation. While UKHSA assures the public that the overall risk remains low, it acknowledges that occasional imported cases should be expected due to ongoing outbreaks in African nations.
Clade 1b mpox, a newly identified and highly transmissible variant, has been designated a global health emergency by the World Health Organization (WHO). The persistence of imported cases highlights gaps in global containment efforts and the need for robust screening, early detection, and targeted vaccination campaigns. While the UK’s response has focused on monitoring and isolating confirmed cases, the increasing frequency of international transmission suggests that more comprehensive strategies are needed to prevent wider outbreaks.
Uganda, alongside the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Burundi, remains a key hotspot for Clade 1b, with continued community transmission complicating containment. The presence of the virus in multiple regions, coupled with limited vaccine availability, presents a growing challenge. To curb the spread, enhanced global cooperation is essential, particularly in strengthening surveillance at international borders and ensuring equitable vaccine distribution to at-risk populations.
As Clade 1b mpox continues to circulate, a coordinated international response is crucial. Without decisive action, the risk of further importation into non-endemic regions will persist, reinforcing the urgent need for investment in public health preparedness, rapid response systems, and global containment strategies.