UK - 2024 MPox

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UK Health Security Agency

@UKHSA
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24m


We have detected a single confirmed human case of Clade Ib mpox. This is the first detection of this Clade of mpox in the UK, the wider risk to the UK population remains low. Read the full story here: https://gov.uk/government/news/ukhsa-detects-first-case-of-clade-ib-mpox…



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UK Health Security Agency

@UKHSA
·
24m


Cases of Clade I are managed as a high consequence infectious disease and close contacts of the case are being followed up by UKHSA and partner organisations. What do you need to know about mpox? Read our blog:

ukhsa.blog.gov.uk
Mpox clade I: what you need to know
In this blog post, we share more information about what mpox is, the different clades, the key symptoms and how UKHSA is working with partners to respond to the outbreak.

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News story

UKHSA detects first case of Clade Ib mpox


The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has detected a single confirmed human case of Clade Ib mpox. From: UK Health Security Agency

Published 30 October 2024

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has detected a single confirmed human case of Clade Ib mpox. The risk to the UK population remains low.

This is the first detection of this Clade of mpox in the UK. It is different from mpox Clade II that has been circulating at low levels in the UK since 2022, primarily among gay, bisexual and other men-who-have-sex-with-men (GBMSM).

UKHSA, the NHS and partner organisations have well tested capabilities to detect, contain and treat novel infectious diseases, and while this is the first confirmed case of mpox Clade Ib in the UK, there has been extensive planning underway to ensure healthcare professionals are equipped and prepared to respond to any confirmed cases.

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 Ib mpox. The UKHSA and NHS will not be disclosing any further details about the individual.

Close contacts of the case are being followed up by UKHSA and partner organisations. Any contacts will be offered testing and vaccination as needed and advised on any necessary further care if they have symptoms or test positive.

UKHSA is working closely with the NHS 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 Ib causes more severe disease than Clade II, we will continue to monitor and learn more about the severity, transmission and control measures. We will initially manage Clade Ib as a high consequence infectious disease (HCID) whilst we are learning more about the virus.

Professor Susan Hopkins, Chief Medical Adviser at UKHSA, said:

It is thanks to our surveillance that we have been able to detect this virus. This is the first time we have detected this Clade of mpox in the UK, though other cases have been confirmed abroad.

The risk to the UK population remains low, and we are working rapidly to trace close contacts and reduce the risk of any potential spread. In accordance with established protocols, investigations are underway to learn how the individual acquired the infection and to assess whether there are any further associated cases.

Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting, said:

I am extremely grateful to the healthcare professionals who are carrying out incredible work to support and care for the patient affected.

The overall risk to the UK population currently remains low and the government is working alongside UKHSA and the NHS to protect the public and prevent transmission.

This includes securing vaccines and equipping healthcare professionals with the guidance and tools they need to respond to cases safely.

We are also working with our international partners to support affected countries to prevent further outbreaks.

Steve Russell, NHS national director for vaccination and screening, said:

The NHS is fully prepared to respond to the first confirmed case of this clade of mpox.

Since mpox first became present in England, local services have pulled out all the stops to vaccinate those eligible, with tens of thousands in priority groups having already come forward to get protected, and while the risk of catching mpox in the UK remains low, if required the NHS has plans in place to expand the roll out of vaccines quickly in line with supply.

Clade Ib mpox has been widely circulating in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in recent months and there have been cases reported in Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Sweden, India and Germany.

Clade Ib mpox was detected by UKHSA using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing.

Common symptoms of mpox include a skin rash or pus-filled lesions which can last 2 to 4 weeks. It can also cause fever, headaches, muscle aches, back pain, low energy and swollen lymph nodes.

The infection can be passed on through close person-to-person contact with someone who has the infection or with infected animals and through contact with contaminated materials. Anyone with symptoms should continue to avoid contact with other people while symptoms persist.

The UK has an existing stock of mpox vaccines and last month announced further vaccines are being procured to support a routine immunisation programme to provide additional resilience in the UK. This is in line with more recent independent JCVI advice.

Working alongside international partners, UKHSA has been monitoring Clade Ib mpox closely since the outbreak in DRC first emerged, publishing regular risk assessment updates.

The wider risk to the UK population remains low.

UKHSA has published its first technical briefing on clade I mpox which provides further information on the current situation and UK preparedness and response.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ukhsa-detects-first-case-of-clade-ib-mpox

[sharon sanders]

hat tip Michael Coston


News story Latest update on cases of Clade Ib mpox


The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirms 2 additional cases of Clade Ib mpox. From: UK Health Security Agency Published 30 October 2024 Last updated 4 November 2024 —

See all updates
Two cases of Clade Ib mpox have been detected in household contacts of the first case, the UK Health Security Agency (UKSHA) can confirm. This brings the total number of confirmed cases to 3.

The 2 patients are currently under specialist care at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust in London. The risk to the UK population remains low.

There has been extensive planning underway to ensure healthcare professionals are equipped and prepared to respond to any further confirmed cases.

Professor Susan Hopkins, Chief Medical Adviser at UKHSA, said:

Mpox is very infectious in households with close contact and so it is not unexpected to see further cases within the same household.

The overall risk to the UK population remains low. We are working with partners to make sure all contacts of the cases are identified and contacted to reduce the risk of further spread.

Contacts of all 3 cases are being followed up by UKHSA and partner organisations. All contacts will be offered testing and vaccination as needed and advised on any necessary further care if they have symptoms or test positive.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ukhsa-detects-first-case-of-clade-ib-mpox

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hat tip Michael Coston


News story Latest update on cases of Clade Ib mpox


The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirms additional cases of Clade Ib mpox. From: UK Health Security Agency Published 30 October 2024
Last updated 6 November 2024 — See all updates

One further case of Clade Ib mpox has been detected in a household contact of the first case, the UK Health Security Agency (UKSHA) can confirm.

This brings the total number of confirmed cases to 4, all of which belong to the same household.

The patient is currently under specialist care at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust in London. The risk to the UK population remains low.

The patient has been isolating since identified as a contact of the first case and no additional contact tracing is required.

Professor Susan Hopkins, Chief Medical Adviser at UKHSA, said:

Mpox is very infectious in households with close contact and so it is not unexpected to see further cases within the same household.

The overall risk to the UK population remains low. We are working with partners to make sure all contacts of the cases are identified and contacted to reduce the risk of further spread.

Contacts of cases are being followed up by UKHSA and partner organisations. All contacts will be offered testing and vaccination as needed and advised on any necessary further care if they have symptoms or test positive.

There has been extensive planning underway to ensure healthcare professionals are equipped and prepared to respond to any further confirmed cases.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ukhsa-detects-first-case-of-clade-ib-mpox

[Michael Coston]

UKHSA Reports A 2nd Imported Mpox Clade Ib Case







#18,453

Four weeks ago the UK became the fifth non-African nation to report an imported Mpox Clade Ib case in a recent traveler to Africa. Since then 3 house mates of this index case have become infected, and we've seen the both the United States and Canada report imported cases.

Unlike the milder Clade II Mpox virus, which began its world tour in the spring of 2022, clade Ib is believed to be more virulent, and potentially more easily transmitted. For that reason, it has been designated a high consequence infectious disease (HCID) in the UK

Today the UK's Health Security Agency has announced a second imported clade Ib case, this time in Leeds.

Latest update

A new case of Clade Ib mpox has been detected in England, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) can confirm.

The case was detected in Leeds and the individual is now under specialist care at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. They had recently returned from Uganda, which is seeing community transmission of Clade Ib mpox. The UKHSA and NHS will not be disclosing any further details about the individual.

The risk to the UK population remains low. We expect to see the occasional imported case of Clade Ib mpox in the UK.

This is the fifth case of Clade Ib mpox confirmed in England in recent weeks. This case has no links to the previous cases identified. All 4 previous cases were from the same household and all have now fully recovered.

Close contacts of the case are being followed up by UKHSA and partner organisations. Any contacts will be offered testing and vaccination as needed and advised on any necessary further care if they have symptoms or test positive.

Professor Susan Hopkins, Chief Medical Adviser at UKHSA, said:

It is thanks to clinicians rapidly recognising the symptoms and our diagnostics tests that we have been able to detect this new case.

The risk to the UK population remains low following this fifth case, and we are working rapidly to trace close contacts and reduce the risk of any potential spread. In accordance with established protocols, investigations are underway to learn how the individual acquired the infection and to assess whether there are any further associated cases.

Clade Ib mpox has been widely circulating in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya in recent months. Imported cases have been detected in Canada, Sweden, India, Thailand and Germany.

There has been extensive planning underway to ensure healthcare professionals are equipped and prepared to respond to any further confirmed cases.

https://afludiary.blogspot.com/2024/11/ukhsa-reports-2nd-imported-mpox-clade.html