Britain has reported two additional cases of the new mpox variant, clade Ib, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to three, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
The agency said the latest infections were found in household contacts of the first case, who had recently traveled to regions in Africa where mpox is prevalent.
The initial patient, identified last week in London, and the two new cases are currently receiving care at a specialist hospital in the city.
Despite the new cases, the UKHSA assured that the risk to the general population remains low, noting that mpox is known to spread within households through close contact. “It is not unexpected to see further cases within the same household,” the UKHSA said in a statement, adding that healthcare professionals are prepared to manage any further cases if needed.
This recent mpox variant, clade Ib, was linked to a global health emergency declared by the World Health Organisation in August. So far, nineteen African countries have recorded over 48,000 suspected mpox cases, with 1,048 deaths in 2023, as reported by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. Cases in Africa have surged by 500% from last year.
Clade Ib differs from clade II, which spread widely in 2022, primarily affecting men who have sex with men. While both clades can spread through close physical and sexual contact, clade Ib is believed to cause more severe symptoms, including flu-like illness and pus-filled lesions, which in some cases can be fatal. The variant has also been detected in Germany, Sweden, India, and Thailand, highlighting its global reach.
Melissa Enoch
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