New case of more spreadable mpox detected

A new case of Clade Ib mpox has been detected in East Sussex, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed.

First detected in central Africa, this variant of the virus appears to transmit more easily between people. Symptoms include pus-filled lesions, fever, headaches and low energy.

The individual is now under specialist care at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust. They had recently returned from Uganda where there is currently community transmission of Clade Ib mpox.

This case becomes the sixth to be confirmed in England since October 2024.

UKHSA deputy director Dr Meera Chand said the "risk to the UK population remains low".

"We are working rapidly to trace close contacts and reduce the risk of any potential spread," she added.

The first case was detected in London in October, with the subsequent three cases affecting individuals who were all household contacts of the first patient. A fifth case was detected in Leeds at the end of October.

This sixth case has no links to those previously detected.

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