England Reports New Mpox Strain Discovery
UK health officials have detected a new strain of mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, in a recent traveller from Asia.
The virus, currently unnamed, is a hybrid composed of elements from two major mpox strains: clade Ib and clade IIb. Authorities are working to determine the significance of this new development.
According to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), viral evolution is a natural process. They continue to emphasize that vaccination remains the most effective way to protect against severe illness, even though mpox infections are often mild.
The emergence of this new strain coincides with early indications of local spread of clade Ib in some European countries. Clade IIb was responsible for the global mpox outbreak in 2022.
In the UK, mpox vaccination is currently available to those at highest risk, including individuals with multiple sexual partners, those who participate in group sex, and those who frequent sex-on-premises venues.
Health officials state the existing vaccine is 75-80% effective against mpox. While studies haven’t yet assessed its efficacy against this latest strain, a high degree of protection is anticipated.
“It’s normal for viruses to evolve, and further analysis will help us understand more about how mpox is changing,” said Dr. Katy Sinka, head of sexually transmitted infections at UKHSA. “Getting vaccinated is a proven effective way to protect yourself against severe disease, so please make sure to get the jab if you are eligible.”
Professor Trudie Lang, director of the Global Health Network at the University of Oxford, highlighted the UK’s robust systems for identifying and controlling mpox cases. However, she noted that achieving the same level of control is “harder to achieve” in more vulnerable populations globally, where vaccine access is limited.
“If further cases of this strain appeared in the UK and elsewhere, it would be important to understand how it’s being spread and how ill it makes people, in order to assess whether it’s more or less dangerous than previous strains,” Prof Lang explained.
Globally, nearly 48,000 confirmed cases of mpox have been reported in 2025, with 2,500 cases in the last month, primarily in central Africa.
Dr. Boghuma Titanji, assistant professor of medicine at Emory University, expressed concern that the new strain represents a feared outcome of continued mpox circulation worldwide. “The more mpox circulation we permit, the more opportunities the virus has to recombine and adapt, further entrenching mpox virus as a human pathogen that is not going away,” she stated.
Mpox is an illness that can cause unpleasant symptoms, including skin lesions or a rash lasting two to four weeks, alongside fever, headaches, back pain, muscle aches, and fatigue. The virus spreads through close physical contact, coughs, sneezes, and contaminated items like clothing and bedding.
Anyone suspecting they may have mpox is advised to contact NHS 111 for guidance.
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