A new case of the latest Mpox strain has been detected in England in a person with no travel history or links to any of the other cases – sparking fears the virus could be silently sweeping across the UK.
The Clade 1b strain of Mpox, known to be more dangerous and transmissible than its predecessors, has now been detected in an unnamed individual from the North East, bringing the total number of cases in the UK up to 12. But while all 11 previous cases were linked to those who had either recently travelled from Africa or been in close contact with someone who had Mpox, the latest patient falls into neither of these categories.
The news has sparked fears the new strain could be silently sweeping across the UK, with experts also calling the news “concerning.” Dr Krutika Kuppalli, associate professor in the division of infectious diseases at the University of Texas Southwestern, told The Telegraph: “The detection of clade 1b mpox in the UK without any known travel history or reported links to prior confirmed cases is concerning because it suggests possible undetected community transmission. This means the virus may already be circulating locally, beyond the scope of current surveillance efforts.
Dr Kuppalli added: “It also raises concerns about the potential for undetected spread amongst asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic individuals.” The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) says it is currently investigating where the individual may have caught the infection.
It said: “The individual was diagnosed in March, all contacts have been followed up and no further cases identified. The risk to the UK population remains low. Clade Ia and Ib mpox are no longer classified as a high consequence infectious disease (HCID). UKHSA has robust mechanisms in place to investigate suspected cases of mpox of all clade types, irrespective of travel history. All previous cases in the UK to date have either travelled to an affected country or have a link to someone that has.”
UKHSA Mpox Incident Director Dr Gillian Armstrong said: “The risk to the UK population from mpox remains low. The majority of people who have presented with symptoms report close physical contact, including massages, or sex prior to developing symptoms. Regardless of whether you have travelled or not, it is important to remain alert to the risks. Anyone who thinks they may have mpox should contact NHS 111 for advice on what to do.
“While mpox infection is mild for many, it can be severe for some and UKHSA is committed to preventing its spread within the UK.”
Common Mpox symptoms include a skin rash or pus-filled lesions which can last 2 to 4 weeks. The virus can also bring on a host of uncomfortable symptoms, including a fever, headaches, muscle aches, back pain, low energy and swollen lymph nodes.
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