UK orders more mpox jabs amid new strain concerns from Africa

The UK government has procured 150,000 additional doses of mpox vaccine in response to a new strain, Clade 1b, which is causing concern due to its outbreak in Africa and isolated cases in Europe and Asia. Although the UK has not yet identified any cases of this strain, health officials maintain that the risk remains low. The World Health Organization has declared the resurgence of mpox a public health emergency of international concern, prompting the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) to assess potential outbreak scenarios. The risk assessment outlines three possible scenarios for the Clade 1b strain. The first scenario suggests it may be less infectious than the Clade 2 strain, leading to small clusters of cases that could be contained through contact tracing and isolation. The second scenario posits that Clade 1b could be as infectious as Clade 2, resulting in a controllable epidemic, particularly among high-risk groups such as men who have sex with men and sex workers. The third scenario considers the possibility that Clade 1b could be more infectious than Clade 2, which would complicate containment efforts and necessitate a nationwide vaccination program. Currently, the most likely outcome is believed to fall between the first two scenarios, indicating a need for preparedness. In light of these assessments, the UK has taken proactive measures to ensure clinicians are equipped to recognize cases and that rapid testing and clinical care protocols are in place. The vaccination campaign initiated in 2022 has already shown success in reducing transmission of the Clade 2 strain, particularly among targeted populations.