First UK case of mpox variant clade Ib detected in London

The first UK case of a potentially deadly variant of the mpox virus has been detected in London.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said the risk to the UK population from the Clade Ib mpox variant “remains low”.

The person involved had been on holiday in Africa and travelled back to the UK on an overnight flight on 21 October.

They developed flu-like symptoms more than 24 hours later and, on 24 October started to develop a rash, which worsened in the following days.

The person attended an emergency department in London on 27 October, 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.

Fewer than 10 people thought to have come into contact with the patient were 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 trace.

Mpox spreads between people only when there is close contact.