Health officials in England have identified a new Mpox variant after a recent traveler from Asia tested positive, prompting renewed monitoring as scientists assess how the merged clades could influence transmission and disease severity.
Officials Analyze Newly Detected Recombinant Strain
The UK Health Security Agency said Monday that genome sequencing confirmed the virus combines elements of clade 1, known for more severe illness, and clade 2, the less virulent strain linked to the 2022 global outbreak. Officials said the emergence was not unexpected because both clades continue to circulate internationally.
Dr. Katy Sinka, head of sexually transmitted infections at the agency, said further study is underway to determine potential impacts. “It’s normal for viruses to evolve, and further analysis will help us understand more about how new Mpox variant is changing,” she said. She urged eligible groups to remain up to date on vaccination.
The patient, who recently traveled to Asia, was tested after showing symptoms consistent with mpox. Officials have not released additional details about the case or whether contact tracing has identified further infections.
Experts Urge Vigilance as Global Mpox Activity Persists
New Mpox variant, formerly called monkeypox, spreads through direct contact with rashes or scabs, contaminated fabrics, or respiratory droplets from infected individuals. Symptoms often emerge after up to three weeks and can include fever, headache, muscle pain and fatigue, followed by a rash.
The World Health Organization ended its second Mpox public health emergency in September, following a 2024 outbreak centered in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. But the virus continues to circulate widely. WHO figures through October show nearly 48,000 confirmed cases and 201 deaths this year across ninety-four countries.
Trudie Lang, professor of global health research at the University of Oxford, said the new Mpox variant underscores the need for continued surveillance. “If further cases of this strain appear in the UK, and anywhere in the world, it will be important to understand the route of transmission, the presentation and severity of disease,” she said. “That will help determine whether this strain is more or less dangerous than previous ones.”
Vaccination Program Remains in Place for High-Risk Groups
The UK maintains a vaccination program for people at higher risk, including those with multiple sexual partners or who attend sex-on-premises venues. Officials reiterated that vaccination remains the strongest protection, especially as recombinant strains highlight the virus’s ability to evolve.
The UKHSA said ongoing genomic surveillance will be critical to identifying future changes and assessing how new Mpox variant
may influence global health risks. For now, officials said current guidance on prevention, testing and isolation continues to apply.
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