Two additional cases of the mpox virus variant, Clade 1b, have been identified in the UK, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
These cases are in household contacts of the first individual diagnosed last week in London. Both new patients are receiving specialised care at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust.
The UKHSA emphasizes that the overall risk to the public remains low. Professor Susan Hopkins, UKHSA's chief medical adviser, noted that mpox can spread easily within households due to close contact, making additional cases within the same household unsurprising.
The agency is coordinating with healthcare professionals to ensure preparedness and follow-up with individuals who may have come into contact with the infected cases. Those contacts will be offered testing and vaccination as necessary to contain further transmission.
The initial case involved an individual who had recently travelled to Africa and developed flu-like symptoms upon return, eventually progressing to a rash.
Source:
sky news Image:
BBC
