UKHSA detects first case of clade 1b mpox in the UK
First published on 30 October 2024
- Health protection
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has detected a single confirmed case of clade 1b mpox. The risk to the UK population remains low.
Clade 1 mpox has been widely circulating in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in recent months and the World Health Organization declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) in August 2024. It is different from clade 2 mpox that has been circulating at low levels in the UK since 2022.
The case was detected in England, having recently travelled to an affected area. This is the first detection of clade 1b mpox in the UK.
Clade 1b mpox is classified as a high consequence infectious disease (HCID). HCIDs are rare in the UK and established guidance and protocols are in place to manage these.
Public Health Scotland is working closely with public health colleagues across the UK, as well as NHS boards in Scotland, to monitor the situation and prepare for any cases that we might see in Scotland.
Further information on mpox is available on the PHS website
Further information and advice for the public can be found on NHS inform