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New deadly Mpox variant in UK ‘very likely’: Experts
Cases of this variant have been confirmed in Sweden and Pakistan. It was first detected in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
New deadly Mpox variant likely to emerge in UK: Experts. (Image: iStock)
An infectious disease expert has warned of a new and deadly variant of coronavirus. Mpox in the United Kingdom. According to experts, the Clade 1B strain of ampox, previously called monkeypox, is more severe and has a higher mortality rate. Cases of this variant have already been confirmed in Sweden and Pakistan. It was first detected in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
In response, the world Health The organisation has declared a global health emergency, its highest level of alert. Speaking to the media, Professor Paul Hunter said it was “very likely” there were already cases in the UK, although this had not been confirmed.
“When someone gets the infection it usually takes a number of days to develop those classic symptoms that make people think ‘Oh, it’s ampox’. Then it can take longer for a sample to be taken and sent to a laboratory, identified as ampox and sent for sequencing so we know which clade of ampox it is,” he said.
What is the Clade 1 version of Mpox?
According to experts, there are two forms of ampox – clade 1 in Congo and other endemic areas, and clade 2 – which spreads internationally. Clade 1 has a higher mortality rate, but this reflects that those infected have less access to quality healthcare.
Clade 1 symptoms are generally more severe, with higher rates of complications such as encephalitis, pneumonia and respiratory illnesses in addition to secondary bacterial infections. It also causes intense skin rashes and large lesions and has a higher rate of person-to-person transmission – particularly through respiratory droplets and close contact.
Scientists say clade 1 has a higher mortality rate — as high as 1-10 percent in some outbreaks.
However, clade 2, which is found mainly in West Africa, is relatively milder and causes fewer complications.
What is Mpox?,
According to the WHO, ampox affects both humans and animals as it belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus, which is known for causing rash-like diseases including raised bumps on the skin. These bumps often contain fluid or pus, which eventually crust over and heal.
The virus spreads primarily through close contact with an infected animal or person. Human-to-human transmission occurs through direct contact with an infected person’s skin lesions, body fluids or respiratory droplets and by touching contaminated objects. Symptoms of ampox usually appear between three and 21 days after contact and may last two to four weeks.
While ampox is typically a self-limited disease, it causes a number of other life-threatening complications that can be fatal. Currently, there is no approved antiviral treatment for ampox.
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