NHS doctors are on the lookout for mpox cases as a deadly strain was confirmed to have reached European shores. The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared a global health emergency – its highest alert – after a major outbreak in Africa . The first case to be detected outside the continent was spotted in Sweden , prompting the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) to raise its risk level.
Since then, one case has also been detected in the Philippines and three suspected cases in Pakistan. The map above reveals all the 16 countries where the bug has been found so far. Experts said the new mutant strain is more severe and lethal than the one that sparked panic in 2022.
Read more on mpox The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said no cases have yet been detected and the risk to the population is 'low'. However, an infectious disease expert has warned the variant of mpox is very likely already in the UK. Rapid testing is being made available and GPs and hospitals have been told to isolate those with symptoms of the mutant bug.
The Government is said to have enough vaccines and treatments to deal with an outbreak. Most read in Health The NHS told the Sun it was "prepared to respond if any confirmed cases emerge". The outbreak of the deadly strain - called clade 1 - was first detected in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Since then, more than 17,000 mpox cases have been confirmed in Africa and beyond. The highly contagious virus - formally known as monkeypox.