Two more cases of potentially fatal mpox have been detected in the UK

London, November 5, (PA Media/dpa/GNA) – Two more UK cases of the potentially deadly strain of the mpox virus have been detected in household contacts of the first case, the UK Health Safety Agency (UKHSA) said.

This brings the total number of confirmed cases of the Clade lb mpox strain in the country to three.

The UKHSA said the risk to the UK population “remains low” and the two patients are currently under specialist care at Guys and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust in London.

The country’s first case was detected in London last week in a person who had been on holiday in Africa and traveled back to the UK on an overnight flight on 21 October.

They developed flu-like symptoms over 24 hours and, on October 24, began developing a rash that worsened over the following days.

The contacts of all three cases are being traced by UKHSA and other partner organizations and will be offered testing, vaccination and counseling as appropriate.

Professor Susan Hopkins, Chief Medical Adviser at UKHSA, said: “Mpox is highly contagious in households with close contact, so it is not unexpected to see other cases in the same household.

“The overall risk to the UK population remains low.

“We are working with partners to ensure all contacts of cases are identified and contacted to reduce the risk of further spread.”

Mpox is spread between people only through direct contact with rashes, skin lesions, or scabs caused by the virus, including during sex, kissing, hugging, or other skin-to-skin contact.

There is also a risk of contact with bodily fluids such as saliva or mucus; contact with bedding or towels or clothing; and a possibility of spread through close and prolonged face-to-face contact, such as talking, breathing, coughing or sneezing.

Symptoms include rashes with blisters, spots or ulcers that can appear anywhere on the body, fever, headache, back pain and muscle pain.

A rash usually appears one to five days after fever, headache, and other symptoms.

Clade Ib mpox has been circulating widely in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in recent months, and cases have been reported in Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Sweden, India and Germany.

A report by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the African Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said there were more than 40,000 mpox cases linked to nearly 1,000 deaths in Africa at the end of September 2024, with Clades Ia, Ib and II. that circulates in the region.

The WHO has declared a public health emergency of international concern due to the rapid spread of the mpox strain.

Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said last week the Government was working with UKHSA and the NHS “to protect the public and prevent transmission”.

“This includes providing vaccines and equipping health professionals with the guidance and tools they need to respond to cases safely,” he added.

“We are also working with our international partners to support affected countries to prevent further outbreaks.”

GNA