A case of mpox – formerly known as monkeypox – linked to a recent outbreak in parts of Africa has been found in Britain.

It is part of the clade 1b outbreak, which appears to spread more easily between people.

Mpox was declared a global health emergency In the summer by the World Health Organization.

The British patient was recently on vacation in Africa and began feeling ill 24 hours after returning home.

The patient developed flu-like symptoms on October 21 and a rash appeared three days later.

The MPox rash of pus-filled lesions can last up to a month. Other symptoms include fever, headache and low energy.

Laboratory testing confirmed that it was clade 1b. This form of the virus is causing increasing concern.

Its close relative, clade 1a, is largely associated with exposure to infected animals or eating wild meat.

But clade 1b appears to be able to spread more easily from person to person through close physical contact, including sex.

The patient is being treated in the specialist high-impact infectious diseases unit at the Royal Free Hospital in London.

In Africa, cases of clade 1b MPOX have all been reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Burundi, and Rwanda.

Close contacts of the patient, including family members, are being traced. It is believed that there will be less than 10 people in it.

“This is the first time we have detected this cluster of mpox in the UK, although other cases have been confirmed overseas,” said Professor Susan Hopkins, chief medical adviser to the UK Health Protection Agency (UKHSA).

She said: “The risk to the UK population remains low, and we are working rapidly to trace close contacts and reduce the risk of any potential spread.”

Sweden, India and Germany have all detected cases of this variant of MPox linked to travel to affected countries.

This is a different outbreak than the primary outbreak Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men will be affected in 2022Which is called Clade II.

Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said: “The Government is working closely with the UKHSA and the NHS to protect the public and prevent transmission.

“This includes securing vaccines and equipping health care professionals with the guidance and tools they need to safely respond to cases.”

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