Two more cases of a deadly and highly infectious virus have been discovered in the UK, as reported by Wales Online. The Health Security Agency (UKHSA) announced that these cases are related to the first case of the Clade Ib mpox strain found in the country. The total number of confirmed cases now stands at three, with the two new cases being household contacts of the initial patient.
According to UKHSA, the risk to the UK population is currently deemed low, and both patients are receiving specialized care at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust in London. The first case was identified in London last week, involving a person who had recently returned from Africa and exhibited flu-like symptoms followed by a rash.
The UKHSA is actively tracing and monitoring contacts of all three cases, offering testing, vaccination, and necessary advice. Professor Susan Hopkins, chief medical adviser at UKHSA, explained that due to the virus’s high infectiousness in close contact settings, further cases within the same household are not unexpected. She reassured that the overall risk to the UK population remains low.
Mpox primarily spreads through direct contact with rash, skin lesions, or scabs caused by the virus. This can occur during sexual contact, kissing, cuddling, or other skin-to-skin interactions. Additionally, contact with bodily fluids like saliva, snot, bedding, towels, or clothing, as well as through close face-to-face contact, poses a risk of transmission.
Symptoms of mpox include a skin rash with blisters, spots, or ulcers, fever, headache, backache, and muscle aches. The rash typically appears a few days after the onset of other symptoms. The Clade Ib mpox strain has been prevalent in the Democratic Republic of Congo and has spread to several other countries, including Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Sweden, India, and Germany.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention have reported over 40,000 mpox cases with almost 1,000 deaths in Africa by the end of September 2024. The WHO has declared a public health emergency due to the rapid spread of the mpox strain.
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting assured that the UK government, along with UKHSA and the NHS, is taking necessary measures to protect the public and prevent further transmission. Efforts include securing vaccines, providing guidance to healthcare professionals, and collaborating internationally to support affected nations.
In conclusion, vigilance, early detection, and prompt intervention are crucial in containing the spread of the Clade Ib mpox strain. Public health authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and work towards safeguarding the population from this highly infectious virus.
The outbreak of the mpox virus in the UK serves as a stark reminder of the importance of robust healthcare systems and rapid response mechanisms in the face of emerging infectious diseases. It underscores the need for global cooperation and a united front in combating health threats that transcend borders.