LONDON: British health officials announced they have identified four cases of a new, more infectious variant of mpox, initially detected in Congo. This marks the first time this variant has caused a cluster of infections outside of Africa. Scientists emphasize that the risk to the general public remains low.
The UK Health Security Agency reported the first case of this new mpox variant last week, stating that the individual is receiving treatment in a London hospital following recent travel to African countries experiencing ongoing outbreaks. This week, the agency confirmed three additional cases within the same household as the initial patient. They are also being treated at a London hospital.
“Mpox spreads easily within households with close contact, so it is not surprising to see further cases within the same household,” said Susan Hopkins, chief medical advisor of the UK Health Security Agency.
This mpox variant, first identified earlier this year in eastern Congo, appears to cause milder symptoms that may go unnoticed, making it easier to transmit. Its spread in Congo and other parts of Africa led the World Health Organization to declare a global emergency in August. The new variant has also caused outbreaks in Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, with isolated cases in travelers reported in Sweden, India, Germany, and Thailand.
To date, approximately 43,000 suspected mpox cases have been recorded in Africa, resulting in over 1,000 deaths, primarily in Congo. On Wednesday, WHO announced it had allocated 899,900 vaccine doses to assist nine African countries dealing with mpox outbreaks.
