First case of lethal MPox virus detected in UK as specialists problem pressing warning
A case of potential killer MPox has been detected in the UK for the first time.
The case is understood to have been found in London. Meanwhile, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has said that the risk to public health “remains low”.
It is understood that the type of the disease in question is the Clade Ib MPox strain, picked up after a person on holiday from the UK brought it back from a holiday in Africa.
The individual is understood to have developed flu-like symptoms 24 hours after they returned from an overnight flight on October 21.
Over the following days, they developed a rash that got progressively worse, and by October 24 it had spread until on October 27 they went to hospital.
The patient was sent home to isolate after medics had taken samples. PA news agency reports that they were told to stay in place while they waited for the test results.
It is understood the UKHSA is “still working” out how many people it will need to contact trace.
Professor Susan Hopkins, chief medical adviser at the UKHSA, said: “It is thanks to our surveillance that we have been able to detect this virus.
“This is the first time we have detected this Clade of mpox in the UK, though other cases have been confirmed abroad.
“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 accordance with established protocols, investigations are underway to learn how the individual acquired the infection and to assess whether there are any further associated cases.”
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