A fresh case of the deadly ‘more deadly’ Mpox strain has been detected in Britain, marking the first time a local resident has contracted the virus within the country. The new patient, from the North East of England, was diagnosed in March and had recently travelled back to the UK from Uganda.
Experts warn that this development indicates Mpox is spreading within local communities. The strain, called Clade 1b, is considered the most deadly so far, killing one in ten infected individuals. It’s believed to be behind a wave of miscarriages.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued an alert, stating that while the overall risk to the population remains low, the situation warrants attention. The agency had previously detected seven cases of the deadly strain in the UK, all of which were linked to international travel or exposure to someone with the virus.
The new case was identified after a patient developed flu-like symptoms and a rash, prompting an A&E visit on October 27. They were then transferred to a high-level isolation unit for treatment.
Meanwhile, officials confirmed four additional patients are being treated at different hospitals in the UK, following similar cases in Uganda. Experts caution that fatality rates of Clade 1b may not be replicable in developed nations due to better access to healthcare.
Current vaccines against Mpox have shown promise but have yet to be widely tested and proven effective against the more potent Clade 1b strain. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a vaccine within four days of contact or up to 14 days without symptoms, particularly for healthcare workers and men who have sex with men.
As the situation unfolds, officials are focused on supporting patients’ immune systems to fight off the virus, with no direct treatments available.
Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-14582611/mpox-strain-clade-1b-deadly-travel-warning.html