New Mpox Clade 1b Strain Detected in UK With Three Confirmed Cases

The UK Health Security Agency reports the new strain is spreading among household contacts, though the risk to the general population remains low.

Two new cases of the Clade 1b mpox variant have been confirmed in London, both linked to the first UK case from a traveler returning from Africa.
The Clade 1b strain, first identified in the Democratic Republic of Congo, is known for higher transmission rates and more severe symptoms than previous variants.
All three patients are receiving specialist care at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, with contact tracing and vaccination efforts underway.
The World Health Organization has declared a global health emergency due to the rapid spread of this strain in Africa and its detection in several other countries.
Mpox symptoms include fever, rash, and muscle aches, and while generally mild, the new strain poses a greater risk, particularly to vulnerable populations.