New Mpox case detected in UK as patient rushed to hospital

A new case of Mpox has been confirmed in the UK, with a patient having been admitted to hospital. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reports that the infection was identified in East Sussex after the individual returned from Uganda and is now being treated by specialists at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust.

This incident marks the sixth case of Clade Ib Mpox detected in England since October 2024. Dr Meera Chand, Deputy Director at UKHSA, commented: "It is thanks to clinicians rapidly recognising the symptoms and the work of our specialist laboratory that we have been able to detect this new case.

"The risk to the UK population remains low following this sixth case, and we are working rapidly to trace close contacts and reduce the risk of any potential spread."

Despite this new diagnosis, the UKHSA maintains that the risk to the wider UK populace is minimal. Amidst the outbreak still active in parts of Africa, the agency anticipates sporadic imported cases of clade Ib Mpox within the UK's borders. It also stated that this particular instance is not related to prior ones recorded in England.

Close associates of the diagnosed patient are currently being monitored by the UKHSA and its partner agencies. These contacts will be offered testing and vaccination where appropriate, aiming to limit any further transmission; they'll also receive guidance regarding additional care should they display symptoms or if subsequent tests come back positive, reports the Mirror.

The UKHSA said: "Clade Ib Mpox has been circulating in several countries in Africa in recent months. Imported cases have been detected in a number of countries including Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Sweden and the United States.

"There has been