A new variant of the mpoxviral disease has been reported in the United Kingdom, according to the UK Health Security Agency, which said it was confirmed in a person who recently travelled to Africa.
All recent contacts of the infected individual are being offered testing and vaccination. They are also advised to watch for symptoms and take extra precautions if their test is positive.
However, the British health authorities stress that the risk to the general population is low.
In October, Germany reported its first case of the new mpox variant, while Sweden identified its first infection in August.
Mpox is a viral disease transmitted from animals to humans, as well as through close physical contact between persons. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, and skin rashes.
The disease was initially discovered in 1958 in Danish laboratory monkeys, which led to its original name, monkeypox. However, in regions such as Africa, rodents are the primary carriers.
On 14 August, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared a global health emergency due to the new mpox variant and its spread in Africa. This year, over 42,000 suspected cases and approximately 1,100 deaths have been reported.
The most affected countries are the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, and Nigeria.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, only 37% of suspected cases have been tested, while the first vaccination campaign began in early October.
