AN INFECTIOUS disease expert has warned of a new deadlier variant of mpox “very likely” already in the UK.
The Clade 1b strain of mpox, previously referred to as monkeypox, is a more severe with a higher mortality rate, experts said.
1
Cases of the new variant have already been confirmed in Sweden and Pakistan.
They were first detected in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
In response the World Health Organisation this week declared a global health emergency, which is its highest alert.
The warning was triggered after an outbreak in Africa where more than 15,600 suspected cases and 541 deaths have been reported.
Professor Paul Hunter told Sky News it is “very likely” there are already cases in the UK, however it has not been confirmed.
He said: “When someone gets an infection it typically takes several days before they develop the classic appearance that would make people think ‘oh, this is mpox’.
“Then it can take longer before the samples are taken and sent to the lab, it’s identified as mpox and sent for sequencing so we know which clade of mpox it is.”
The infectious disease expert explained the condition is “relatively mild” for most people and infection risk is “very low”.
Mpox symptoms
Source; NHS inform
Symptoms of mpox can include:
- a blistering rash that usually starts 1 to 5 days after other symptoms – the rash may start on the face or in the genital area and may spread to other parts of the body
- high temperature (fever)
- headache
- flu-like symptoms, including muscle and back aches, shivering and tiredness
- swollen glands that feel like new lumps (in the neck, armpits or groin)
- inflammation of the rectum (proctitis) – for example pain or bleeding from your back passage
The pox rash goes through 4 phases:
- Flat spots
- Raised spots
- Blisters (full of coloured fluid)
- Healing by scabbing or crusting over