First Mpox case of new 'killer' strain detected in UK as urgent warning issued

The first UK case of a potentially deadly strain of the the Clade Ib mpox virus strain has been detected in London the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has said

The first case of the potentially deadly Mpox virus has been detected in the UK, experts have warned.

A potentially deadly strain of the virus has been detected in London after a person travelled back to the UK from a holiday in Africa.

The risk to the UK population from the Clade Ib mpox strain “remains low” the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said.

The holidaymaker returned to the UK on an overnight flight on October 21 before developing flu-like symptoms more than 24 hours later.

Then on October 24, they started to develop a rash which got worse over the following days until the individual went to an emergency department in London on October 27.

Medics took swab samples and sent the patient home to isolate while they awaited the test results, the PA news agency reports. The person has now been transferred to the Royal Free Hospital where they are being treated in the high consequence infectious diseases unit.

The UKHSA said that the patient is thought to have come into contact with fewer than 10 people and they are initially being traced.

These 10 are all "household contacts" the authority said, though the UKHSA is “still working” on the number of people it may have to contact trace.

Mpox virus requires close contact between people to spread.