The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed the first UK case of the mpox Clade 1b strain in London. This variant of the mpox virus was identified in a single patient who had recently traveled to regions in Africa where the strain is actively circulating.

Following the diagnosis, the patient was transferred to the Royal Free Hospital’s High Consequence Infectious Diseases (HCID) unit in London for specialized care. Health officials are closely monitoring the situation and maintaining precautionary measures to prevent further spread.

This detection follows Germany’s first Clade 1b case earlier this month and comes amid a concerning rise in mpox cases across Africa, where the strain has already resulted in over 1,000 reported deaths. The severity of the outbreak led the World Health Organisation (WHO) to declare the strain’s spread a global health emergency for the second time in two years.

Despite the UK’s first case, the UKHSA has assured the public that the overall risk to the population remains low. Health officials are emphasizing vigilance, especially among travellers from affected regions, as they continue to work closely with international health organizations to monitor and respond to any further developments.