New Mpox Variant Clade Ib Detected in Britain: What It Means

The UK Health Security Agency has identified the first case of the mpox variant Clade Ib in Britain. The variant, linked to a global health emergency, was found in a patient traveling from Africa. It is primarily circulating in the Democratic Republic of Congo and several other countries.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has reported the first case of the new mpox variant Clade Ib in the United Kingdom. Despite this discovery, the risk to the public remains low, the agency assured.

The infected individual, who recently traveled from Africa, is receiving treatment in a specialized hospital in London. The UKHSA is actively monitoring close contacts of the patient in collaboration with other organizations to contain any potential spread.

The Clade Ib variant has been prevalent in the Democratic Republic of Congo and has also surfaced in countries such as Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Sweden, India, and Germany in recent months.

(With inputs from agencies.)