The UK Health Security Agency announced the discovery
Researchers in England have identified a novel mpox strain. The newly discovered variant was detected in an individual who had recently returned from Asia, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
Authorities confirmed they had identified a “new recombinant mpox virus”, indicating it contains genetic material derived from multiple viral strains. According to the UKHSA, genomic sequencing revealed that the mpox genome incorporated components from both clade Ib and IIb mpox variants.
Dr Katy Sinka, head of sexually transmitted infections at UKHSA, stated: “Our genomic testing has enabled us to detect this new mpox strain. It’s normal for viruses to evolve, and further analysis will help us understand more about how mpox is changing. Although mpox infection is mild for many, it can be severe. Getting vaccinated is a proven effective way to protect yourself against severe disease, so please make sure to get the jab if you are eligible.”
The NHS provides the mpox vaccine to individuals considered at elevated risk of contracting the virus, including men who have sex with men and maintain multiple sexual partners.
Responding to the development, Professor Trudie Lang from the University of Oxford said: “It is of concern that there is an mpox case in the UK, and of further concern that it is a new recombinant mpox virus. This case highlights that mpox is circulating globally and is evolving, as predictable with these viruses.”
Professor Lang added: “The recent experience we have had, and still persists in Africa, when clade Ib emerged, showed that this virus can cause severe disease, and so measures to reduce transmission and prevent spread are vital. With clade Ib we observed changes in transmission, seeing person-to-person close contact as well as sexual transmission, changing from previous strains being limited mainly to animal-to-human and within households, and the previous European outbreak where the transmission was limited to close sexual transmission.”She continued: “So, if further cases of this strain appear in the UK, and anywhere in the world, it will be important to understand the route of transmission, the presentation and severity of disease, so we can assess whether this strain is more or less dangerous than previous ones and response accordingly with a connected global effort.”
Dr Boghuma Titanji, an assistant professor of medicine at Emory University in Georgia, stated: “The identification of a recombinant mpox strain containing elements of both Clade I and Clade II is precisely what experts in the field feared would happen if the virus continued to spread globally without a decisive response to stop it. The key concern now is whether events like this will alter the virus’s transmissibility or virulence.”
The UKHSA confirmed it will “continue to assess the significance of the strain”. Symptoms of mpox include a skin rash with blisters, spots or ulcers that can appear anywhere on the body, along with fever, headache, backache and muscle aches. A rash typically emerges one to five days after the onset of fever, headache and other symptoms.
The disease spreads between individuals through direct contact with rashes, skin lesions or scabs caused by the virus. This can occur during sexual contact, kissing, cuddling or any other form of skin-to-skin contact.
There’s also a risk from coming into contact with bodily fluids such as saliva or mucus, or touching items like bedding, towels or clothing used by an infected person. The virus can also spread through close and prolonged face-to-face contact, such as talking, breathing, coughing, or sneezing.
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