The UK is “preparing for cases” after a “global emergency” was declared by World Health Organisation chiefs over the growing mpox spread.
The risk is considered low but health plans include rapid testing and care protocols for people with infection. The UK Health Security Agency said there were no cases of the virus in the UK.
Dr Meera Chand, a UKHSA deputy director, said: “The risk to the UK population is currently considered low. However, planning is under way to prepare for any cases that we might see in the UK.
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“This includes ensuring that clinicians are aware and able to recognise cases promptly, that rapid testing is available, and that protocols are developed for the safe clinical care of people who have the infection and the prevention of onward transmission.”
(Image: Getty Images)
It comes as Sweden confirmed the first case of the dangerous disease outside of Africa.
The person became infected during a stay in an area of Africa where there is currently a major outbreak of mpox Clade 1, Sweden’s public health agency said.
The WHO director general, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) under the international health regulations (2005) on Wednesday. Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is an infectious disease caused by a virus.
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) director Gen Dr Jean Kaseya said yesterday that the agency’s declaration of a public health emergency was meant “to mobilise our institutions, our collective will and our resources to act swiftly and decisively.”
“It’s clear that current control strategies aren’t working and there is a clear need for more resources,” said Michael Marks, a professor of medicine at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine in an update yesterday. “If a [global emergency declaration] is the mechanism to unlock these things, then it is warranted,” he said.
Greg Ramm, Save the Children’s Congo director, said the organisation was particularly worried about the spread of mpox in the crowded camps for refugees in the east, noting there were 345,000 children “crammed into tents in unsanitary conditions.”
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