November 4th 2024.
Two new cases of the Clade Ib mpox virus have been identified and are currently receiving care at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust. These cases are household contacts of the first recorded case in the UK, who contracted the virus while on holiday in Africa. The two individuals are receiving specialized care at the London hospital, and Professor Susan Hopkins, chief medical adviser at the UK Health Security Agency, assures that the overall risk to the population remains low. The agency is also working with partners to identify and contact all potential contacts to prevent further spread of the virus.
The first case, who returned from Africa on October 21, developed a rash three days later and sought medical attention on October 27. They were then transferred to the Royal Free Hospital high consequence infectious diseases unit for treatment. This strain of mpox, known as Clade Ib, has been circulating in the Democratic Republic of Congo and has also been reported in several other countries including Sweden, India, and Germany. The World Health Organization has declared it a public health emergency of international concern due to its rapid spread and high mortality rate.
So, what exactly is mpox and is there a vaccine for it? This virus can spread from animals to humans and between people through close contact, including sexual contact, skin-to-skin contact, and even talking or breathing near an infected person. Symptoms may include fever, headache, muscle pains, lack of energy, backaches, swollen glands, and a rash. The most distinctive symptom is the rash, which typically appears 1 to 5 days after the initial symptoms. While there is no specific treatment for mpox, the smallpox vaccine has been found to be effective against it.
As for the current situation in London, there have been three reported cases of mpox Clade Ib, which is different from the Clade II strain that has been circulating among certain populations since 2022. The UK Health Security Agency continues to monitor the situation and learn more about Clade Ib, which appears to cause more severe disease than Clade II. The agency is also taking steps to manage it as a high consequence infectious disease, and there is an existing stock of mpox vaccines in the UK with more being procured. Stay informed on the latest news from London by visiting The Agency's London news hub.
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