The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed a new case of clade Ib mpox in England, involving an individual who recently returned from Uganda, where the virus is currently circulating.
Detected in East Sussex, this is the sixth case of clade Ib mpox identified in the UK since October 2024.
The individual is under specialist care at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, and close contacts are being monitored to prevent further transmission. Despite this development, the UKHSA has assured the public that the overall risk to the UK population remains low.
Clade Ib Mpox: A Global Concern
Clade Ib mpox cases have been reported in around 20 countries, including Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Sweden, and the United States. The first case in the U.S. was detected in California in November 2024.
Dr. Meera Chand, Deputy Director at UKHSA, credited the detection to swift clinical recognition and the expertise of specialist laboratories. “We have detected this new case thanks to clinicians rapidly recognizing the symptoms and the work of our specialist laboratory,” she said.
Mpox Outbreaks and Global Efforts
Two strains of the mpox virus—clade I and clade II—are circulating globally. Clade II has caused over 102,000 cases and more than 220 deaths worldwide since its outbreak in May 2022.
Efforts to combat the virus include antiviral treatments and vaccine distribution. SIGA Technologies recently announced regulatory approval in Japan for its antiviral treatment TEPOXX (tecovirimat) to treat mpox. Additionally, vaccines such as MVA-BN® are available in many countries. On January 21, 2025, the European Commission delivered 10,000 doses of the MVA-BN® vaccine to Uganda to aid in managing the ongoing outbreak.
In the UK and the U.S., mpox vaccines are available at clinics and pharmacies to help curb the spread of the virus.
Risk to the UK Population
The UKHSA emphasizes that while imported cases of clade Ib mpox are expected due to outbreaks in Africa, the risk to the general UK population remains minimal. East Sussex, where the latest case was detected, has a population of 820,000 and is located southeast of London.
The UK continues to monitor and respond to imported cases, leveraging clinical expertise, laboratory diagnostics, and vaccination efforts to maintain public health.
