The first UK case of a potentially deadly strain of the mpox virus, formerly known as monkeypox, has been detected in London. Having said this, the risk to the UK population from the Clade Ib mpox strain “remains low”, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said. The person involved had been on holiday in Africa and travelled back to the UK on an overnight flight on October 21.
More than 24 hours later, they developed flu-like symptoms and started to develop a rash on October 24 which worsened in the following days. Potentially deadly strain of Mpox detected in London On October 27, the person went to an emergency department in London where they were swabbed, tested and sent home to isolate while waiting for the results. They have now been transferred to the Royal Free Hospital high consequence infectious diseases unit for treatment.
Less than 10 people who are thought to have come into contact with the patient are initially being traced, the UKHSA said. These are household contacts, although the UKHSA is “still working” on the number of people it may have to contact trace. What is Mpox and what are the symptoms? Mpox "is a rare infection most commonly found in parts of central and east Africa", the NHS explains.
Mpox spreads between people when there is close contact and the risk of catching mpox in the UK is low. The first symptoms of mpox usually take between five and 21 days to appear. Recommended reading: Is a vaccine for mpox available in the UK as cases rise? Wh.