First case of latest mpox variant detected in UK: health authority

London: An infection with the latest mpox variant, clade 1b, has been detected in the United Kingdom for the first time, the UK Health Security Agency...

London: An infection with the latest mpox variant, clade 1b, has been detected in the United Kingdom for the first time, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) announced on Wednesday.

The agency said that the single case was detected in London after the person returned from Africa, adding that the risk to the wider population "remains low".

UKHSA said the person had been on holiday and travelled back to the UK on an overnight flight on October 21.

They developed flu-like symptoms more than 24 hours later and, on October 24, started to develop a rash which worsened in the following days.

The person attended an emergency department in London on October 27, where they were swabbed, tested and sent home to isolate while waiting for the results.