The clade 1b variant of the M pox virus is a new form of the virus linked to the global emergency declared by the World Health Organization in August.
According to the news in Reuters; “Mpox is most contagious in households where there is close contact, so it is not unexpected to see more cases within the same household,” the UKHSA said.
The UKHSA reported last week that the first case, in a patient who had recently traveled to affected countries in Africa, was detected in London and the person was referred to hospital.
The UKHSA said both new patients were under specialist care in the city and healthcare workers were equipped and ready to respond to any confirmed cases.
According to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), there have been more than 48,000 suspected cases of mpox in 19 African countries this year, with 1,048 of them resulting in death. The number of cases on the continent has increased by 500% compared to last year. Mpox clade 1b has also been reported in Germany, Sweden, India and Thailand.
Mpox is a viral infection that typically causes flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions, and although it is usually mild, it can kill. Clade 1b is thought to cause more severe disease than clade 2. Both forms can be transmitted through close physical contact, including sexual contact.