The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is reminding people at higher risk of exposure to mpox to come forward for vaccination, following reports of small numbers of locally acquired cases of a new mpox strain – known as clade Ib – in several European countries and the USA.
Recent cases have been identified in Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal and the United States, with no known links to countries where clade Ib mpox is already circulating. This indicates that community transmission is now occurring globally.
Most of the new cases in Europe and the USA have been found among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men – a group in which clade Ib mpox transmission has not previously been observed.
While mpox is typically a mild infection and clade Ia and Ib are no longer classified as high-consequence infectious diseases, the illness can still cause severe symptoms in some cases.
The UK continues to offer a routine mpox vaccination programme to help protect those most at risk. People who are eligible include those who:
- have multiple sexual partners
- participate in group sex
- visit sex-on-premises venues
UKHSA is encouraging anyone in these groups who has not yet been vaccinated to come forward for their vaccine as soon as possible.
People can check their eligibility and book an appointment by visiting mpox vaccine – NHS.