A new and more transmissible variant of mpox, first identified in Congo, has sparked concern as the United Kingdom reports its first cluster of cases outside of Africa. British health officials have confirmed four cases, with the virus spreading within a household in London. The initial case involved a patient who had recently traveled to African countries where mpox outbreaks are ongoing.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reported that three additional cases were confirmed this week, all from the same household as the first patient. The individuals are currently receiving treatment at a hospital in London. UKHSA Chief Medical Advisor Susan Hopkins noted that mpox is highly contagious in household settings, explaining that further cases within the same household were expected.
The new variant, first detected earlier this year in eastern Congo, has raised alarm due to its milder symptoms, which can go unnoticed and potentially lead to undetected transmission. The spread of this variant across Congo and other African nations prompted the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare a global health emergency in August.
In Africa, outbreaks of the new mpox variant have been reported in Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda. As of now, Africa has seen approximately 43,000 suspected cases, with over 1,000 deaths, the majority of which have occurred in Congo.
In response to the growing epidemic, the WHO has dispatched nearly 900,000 vaccine doses to nine African countries facing severe mpox outbreaks. The move aims to curb the spread of the virus and prevent further public health crises.
