New UK monkeypox Clade Ib variant case detected in England, UKHSA affirm
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed a fresh case of Clade Ib mpox in England. The patient, who was diagnosed in Leeds, is currently receiving specialist care at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
The individual had recently returned from Uganda, where there’s ongoing community transmission of Clade Ib mpox. The UKHSA and NHS have decided not to disclose any more information about the patient. Despite this, the risk to the general public in the UK remains minimal. It’s anticipated that the UK will occasionally see imported cases of Clade Ib mpox.
This marks the fifth instance of Clade Ib mpox detected in England in recent times. This case has no connection to the previous ones identified.
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All four earlier patients belonged to the same household and have since made a full recovery.
The UKHSA and its partner organisations are closely monitoring those who have been in contact with the patient. These contacts will be offered testing and vaccination as required, and if they display symptoms or test positive, they’ll be guided on further necessary care.
Professor Susan Hopkins, Chief Medical Adviser at UKHSA, said: “It is thanks to clinicians rapidly recognising the symptoms and our diagnostics tests that we have been able to detect this new case.
The risk to the UK population remains low following this fifth case, 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.
“Clade Ib mpox has been widely circulating in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya in recent months. Imported cases have been detected in Canada, Sweden, India, Thailand and Germany.
“There has been extensive planning underway to ensure healthcare professionals are equipped and prepared to respond to any further confirmed cases.”
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