New Mpox strain detected in the UK
Updated: 2 days ago
A unique strain of Monkeypox Virus (mpox), was detected this month in the UK, marking the first time this new variant has been recorded outside of Africa. It was announced on 30 October by the Health Protection Centre website. This variant, now identified as Clade 1b, is reported to cause milder symptoms than other strands of Mpox and is to particularly affect health officials because it is highly contagious and spreads rapidly through close contact, especially among children. The World Health Organization declared Mpox a public health emergency in August 2024, calling on global healthcare institutions to take measures to prevent its spread.
Patient Zero acquired Mpox while travelling to East Africa and was treated for a mild illness in San Mateo, California, according to health officials. The person is isolating at home and recovering, and there is no evidence that Mpox is spreading in the US. Professor Susan Hopkins, Chief Medical Adviser at UKHSA, stated: “The risk to the UK population remains low, and we are working rapidly to trace close contacts and reduce the risk of any potential spread.”
In a statement issued by the University Press Office on 6 November, Dr Wilber Sabiiti, a Senior Research Scientist at St Andrews School of Medicine, urgently addressed this emerging threat. He said: “The world could be sleepwalking into another pandemic if it does not take the risks of Mpox seriously.”
Furthermore, insufficient vaccine production and delays in the testing and approval processes could engender another outbreak. According to Dr Sabiiti, the first documented case recorded in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has revealed its transmissibility. There was a sharp rise in cases in Africa, with over 7,500 reported between January and October 2024. He also highlighted the potential for this strain to evade detection due to its milder initial symptoms, which complicates containment efforts.
In this statement, Sabiiti advocates for immediate investment in vaccine development and a more proactive approach to prevent the strain from becoming a global crisis.
Photo by Madeleine Rea
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