Latest Update On Cases Of Clade Ib Mpox

One further case of Clade Ib mpox has been detected in a household contact of the first case, the UK Health Security Agency (UKSHA) can confirm.

This brings the total number of confirmed cases to 4, all of which belong to the same household.

The patient is currently under specialist care at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust in London. The risk to the UK population remains low.

The patient has been isolating since identified as a contact of the first case and no additional contact tracing is required.

Professor Susan Hopkins, Chief Medical Adviser at UKHSA, said:
" Mpox is very infectious in households with close contact and so it is not unexpected to see further cases within the same household.

"The overall risk to the UK population remains low. We are working with partners to make sure all contacts of the cases are identified and contacted to reduce the risk of further spread."

Contacts of cases are being followed up by UKHSA and partner organisations. All contacts will be offered testing and vaccination as needed and advised on any necessary further care if they have symptoms or test positive.

There has been extensive planning underway to ensure healthcare professionals are equipped and prepared to respond to any further confirmed cases.

Common symptoms of mpox include a skin rash or pus-filled lesions which can last 2 to 4 weeks. It can also cause fever, headaches, muscle aches, back pain, low energy and swollen lymph nodes.

The infection can be passed on through close person-to-person contact with someone who has the infection or with infected animals and through contact with contaminated materials. Anyone with symptoms should continue to avoid contact with other people while symptoms persist.

The UK has an existing stock of mpox vaccines and last month announced further vaccines are being procured to support a routine immunisation programme to provide additional resilience in the UK. This is in line with more recent independent JCVI advice.

Working alongside international partners, UKHSA has been monitoring Clade Ib mpox closely since the outbreak in DRC first emerged, publishing regular risk assessment updates.

The wider risk to the UK population remains low.