Plans are under way to vaccinate more people against mpox as officials work to bolster the UK’s resilience against a strain of the virus rapidly spreading in Africa.
While no cases of clade I mpox have been detected in the UK – and the risk to the population is considered low – Health Secretary Wes Streeting said ministers are “closely monitoring” the situation in other countries.
Clade I mpox has been deemed more severe than clade II mpox, which was responsible for the global outbreak in 2022.
There is an ongoing clade I outbreak in Africa, with cases of clade Ia increasing in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as well as the spread of a novel strain known as clade Ib.
In August, a declaration of a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) was made by the World Health Organisation (WHO) over clade 1b, which first emerged in the DRC last year.
The first European case of clade I mpox was confirmed in Sweden last month.
As part of preparations for potential cases of clade I mpox in the UK, the Government has ordered more than 150,000 doses of mpox vaccine from biotechnology firm Bavarian Nordic to ensure high-risk groups are protected.
It is the same jab that was used to tackle the outbreak in 2022.
Under the plans, the Government has agreed that gay, bisexual or men who have sex with men should be offered the vaccine, along with close contacts of confirmed cases, certain healthcare workers in infectious diseases inpatient units and sexual health services, and certain health and humanitarian workers who go to affected countries.
It is understood the jab will be offered to patients in stages, as it becomes available and based on clinical need, with separate rollouts across the four nations.
Professor Susan Hopkins, chief medical adviser at the UK Health Security Agency, said: “There are no cases of clade I mpox confirmed in the UK and the risk to the general UK population of being exposed to mpox clade I is currently considered low.
“However, we are preparing for any cases that we might see in the UK and vaccination plays a vital part in our defences.
“Alongside vaccination, we have been working rapidly to ensure that clinicians are aware and able to recognise cases promptly, that rapid testing is available, and that protocols are developed for the safe clinical care of people who have the infection and the prevention of onward transmission.”
Mpox is passed on through close physical contact, including during sexual contact, kissing, cuddling or holding hands.
Symptoms include a high temperature, headache, muscle aches, backache, swollen glands, exhaustion, joint pain and a rash.
There are two main types of the virus – clade I and clade II.
Clade II has been present in the UK for more than two years after a large outbreak was identified in the spring of 2022.
A vaccination programme was launched that summer and closed the following July.
It is understood more than 49,000 people have had two doses of the jab, which is 80% effective at preventing mpox cases, while more than 83,000 have had one dose.
Steve Russell, national director for vaccinations and screening at NHS England, added: “The NHS remains fully prepared to roll out mpox vaccination at pace once again to priority groups.
“While the risk of catching mpox in the UK is low, vaccination offers a vital level of protection for those most likely to be exposed. We encourage those eligible to come forward when invited by local health services, to ensure they have the best defence.”
The Government has also backed international efforts to control the virus.
Last month it was announced that the UK would provide £3 million to partner with Unicef to bolster efforts to tackle mpox and cholera outbreaks in the DRC.
Mr Streeting said: “No cases of clade I mpox have been detected in the UK, but we are taking steps to ensure the country is prepared with a robust vaccination programme that protects those who may be at high risk.
“Across government, we are closely monitoring the spread of this virus overseas and are proud to be at the forefront of the international response, including through our early support to the Democratic Republic of Congo.”
Anneliese Dodds, minister for development, added: “The UK is at the forefront of the global response to mpox through our investments in Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and Unicef, as well as our support to the World Health Organisation.
“Our new partnership with Unicef in the Democratic Republic of the Congo will support its government’s response and reach 4.4 million people in affected communities. We will continue to work with all our partners to ensure vaccines get into the arms of the people that need them.”