The UK is preparing for potential cases of a new strain of mpox after outbreaks of the virus were declared a global emergency by the World Health Organisation.
The strain, known as clade 1b, emerged in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with more than 17,000 cases and 571 deaths in Africa this year, according to the WHO, which exceeds last year’s total.
Scientists from the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention report 96% of all cases and deaths have been in DR Congo.
There are currently no cases of the virus in the UK, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) hs said, and its deputy director Dr Meera Chand claims the risk “is currently considered low”.
“However, planning is under way to prepare for any cases that we might see in the UK,” she added.
“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.”
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How does mpox spread and what is the risk to the world?
Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, is passed on through close physical contact and symptoms include a high temperature, headache, muscle aches, backache and a rash.
Dr Jean Kaseya, the director general of Africa Centres for Diseases Control and Prevention, said there are cases in 16 countries in Africa.
“For the first time, we have countries like Ivory Coast, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda reporting cases,” he told Sky News.
“We took our responsibility to say we need to declare this public health emergency… to better protect and support our countries.”
He added WHO declared an emergency as it considers the strain is “potentially the outbreak that can become a pandemic”.
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In 2023 and up to July 31 this year, 286 cases were reported in the UK.
Of these, 269 were in England – with 116 patients presumed to have caught the virus in the UK and 82 outside of the country.
Before the spring of 2022, UK cases were usually associated with travel to or from countries where mpox is endemic, particularly in western or central Africa.
But in May that year, there was a large outbreak in the UK, mostly in men who are gay, bisexual or have sex with other men.
A vaccination programme was launched in the UK in the summer of 2022 and closed the following July.