Mpox cases: The World Health Organization says 17 African countries have reported ongoing mpox transmission in the past six weeks, with 2,862 confirmed cases and 17 deaths between September 14 and October 19, and that clade Ib mpox has now been detected for the first time in Malaysia, Namibia, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain.
Using that warning as a backdrop, UK health officials are urging gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) to check their vaccination status ahead of Europe’s Winter Pride season.
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The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) says small numbers of clade Ib cases have been identified in Spain, Italy, Portugal, the Netherlands and the US. In the UK, 16 clade Ib infections, all in England, have been recorded to date, each with direct or indirect links to travel, and no evidence yet of spread within GBMSM networks. Even so, a new UKHSA assessment calls the risk of importation “high,” while noting that onward transmission should be blunted by the existing vaccination programme for GBMSM.
The vaccine is offered to those at higher risk, mainly GBMSM who have multiple partners, participate in group sex, or visit sex-on-premises venues, as well as venue workers and close contacts of confirmed cases. While not yet tested specifically against clade Ib, the jab is known to protect against clade II, and officials expect cross-protection.
Mpox typically causes a flu-like illness followed by a rash or pus-filled lesions lasting two to four weeks. It spreads through close physical contact, respiratory droplets, or contaminated materials such as clothing and bedding. Though usually mild, severe disease can occur, underscoring public-health calls for vaccination and prompt care.
