UKHSA detects First Case of Clade I Mpox

The UKHSA has today issued a press release confirming the first case of Clade Ib Mpox. You can read the full press release here.

The key points from this announcement are:

• The risk to the UK population remains low
• The case was detected in London and the individual has been transferred to the Royal Free Hospital High Consequence Infectious Diseases unit.
• They had recently travelled to countries in Africa that are seeing community cases of Clade I mpox. No further details will be disclosed about the individual.
• Close contacts are being follow up. Any contacts will be offered testing and vaccination as needed. They will be advised on further care if they have symptoms or test positive.
• The UKHSA are working closely with NHS colleagues and academic partners to determine the characteristics of the pathogen and further assess the risk to human health.
• While the existing evidence suggests mpox Clade I causes more severe disease than Clade II, UKHSA will continue to monitor and learn more about the severity, transmission and control measures.
• The UKHSA will initially manage Clade I as a high consequence infectious disease (HCID) whilst they are learning more about the virus.

For more information, contact the External Affairs Team at the UK Health Security Agency - www.gov.uk/ukhsa