An expert has raised concerns over a concerning new strain of mpox that’s feared to be spreading undetected in the UK, it has been reported.
The warning follows the World Health Organization’s (WHO) declaration of outbreaks in Africa as a global emergency, alongside the confirmation of the first human case in Europe by Swedish authorities.
Mpox, a viral disease caused by the monkeypox virus, leads to fluid-filled skin lesions that can be painful and, in severe cases, fatal.
A new strain of mpox, identified as Clade 1, was first detected in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) last year, according to the WHO.
In April, researchers found that the Clade I variant, also known as Clade Ib, appears to spread effectively among people, including through sexual contact.
Since then, it has rapidly spread across Central Africa, impacting areas like Bukavu, a city in the DRC with a population of over one million, and causing the first reported mpox infections in four other countries in the region.
Now, Swedish health officials have confirmed the first human case in Europe, noting that the patient, who sought treatment in Stockholm, likely contracted the virus during a trip to Africa.
At present, there are no cases of Clade 1 mpox confirmed in the UK but Professor Paul Hunter told Sky News it is “very likely” that the virus is spreading undetected.
Assistant Professor Brian Labu of the University of Nevada Las Vegas told GB news that there are two reasons to be concerned about the spread of Clade 1.
First, the earlier strain we encountered, Clade 2, caused a much milder form of the disease, with a mortality rate of approximately 0.2 percent, he says.
He told GB news: “Clade 1 is ten times that so it’s a more serious threat than the one we have dealt with previously so we need to pay attention.”
The professor is concerned that complacency is growing due to how mpox has spread in the past.
He explains that the 2022 outbreak was mostly limited to men who have sex with men, leading others to believe they were not at risk.
However, mpox is not confined to this group, and it’s now spreading to other populations, he warns.
Research indicates that Clade 1 is primarily spreading among heterosexual populations.
Officials report that there are currently no cases in the UK, and the risk to the general population is low.
However, the UK is preparing for potential cases by ensuring clinicians are informed about mpox and can quickly identify it. Rapid testing is being made available, and protocols are being developed to safely manage potential patients and prevent transmission.
Health officials are also reportedly stockpiling mpox vaccines to contain any potential outbreak in the UK.