New Mpox Variant Confirmed in the UK
Recombinant Strain Combines Two Lineages
201 Deaths from Mpox Reported Worldwide
Public Health Emergency Lifted in September
The UK health authorities have confirmed a new variant of the Mpox virus (formerly known as monkeypox) in a patient with a history of travel to Asia.
On December 8 (local time), The Guardian reported, "A new Mpox variant has been identified in a UK patient with a recent travel history to Asia."
According to the report, genome analysis revealed that this variant is a recombinant form, combining genetic elements from the two currently circulating Mpox lineages: Clade 1, which is associated with more severe cases, and Clade 2, which is relatively less fatal.
UK Health Authorities: "Viral Evolution Is Natural"
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) stated, "We are analyzing the potential impact of this variant," and added, "Most Mpox infections are mild, but we recommend that those eligible for vaccination get immunized to prevent infection." Dr. Katy Sinka, STI Lead at UKHSA, commented, "It is natural for viruses to evolve," and explained, "Further analysis will help us better understand the changing patterns of Mpox."
Mpox is a viral infectious disease that was previously known as monkeypox. It can be transmitted through close contact with an infected person, contaminated clothing, bedding, or towels, as well as through coughs and sneezes from infected individuals. Additionally, the virus can be transmitted from infected animals such as rats, mice, and squirrels to humans.
Symptoms typically appear after an incubation period of up to three weeks and include high fever, headache, muscle pain, and severe fatigue. It is common for a skin rash to develop within a few days after the initial symptoms.
UKHSA explained that both lineages are currently circulating and that this recombinant variant is not unexpected, but rather an example of the virus’s ongoing evolutionary potential. The agency also emphasized the importance of genomic surveillance to monitor such developments.
Mpox Infections: 48,000 Cases and 201 Deaths in 94 Countries Worldwide
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), the highest level of health alert, during the global Mpox outbreak in 2022. In 2024, following another large-scale outbreak centered in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the emergency declaration was reinstated. As Mpox infections subsequently declined, WHO lifted the PHEIC for Mpox in September of this year.
According to WHO data, as of the end of October this year, nearly 48,000 confirmed cases and 201 deaths have been reported across 94 countries. In the UK, a vaccination program is being conducted for people with multiple sexual partners, those participating in group sexual activities, and visitors to sex-related clubs.
Trudie Lang, Professor of Global Health Research at the University of Oxford, stated, "If this variant is detected further in the UK or other countries, it will be important to determine its transmission routes, clinical features, and severity," adding, "It must also be assessed whether it is more or less dangerous than existing variants."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
