2024-10-31 01:25:00
The Health Safety Agency of United Kingdom (UKHSA, British Health Safety Agency) announcement the appearance of a first case of the latest variant of the mpox virusoriginally known as “monkeypox”, which caused a major epidemic in Africa.
“UKHSA has so far detected a single confirmed human case of MPOX clade 1b,” as the new variant is called, the United Kingdom’s Health Security Agency wrote in a note on Wednesday, specifying that “The risk to the population is low.”
“It is the first detection of this type of mux in the UK. “It is different from Mpox clade 2, which has been circulating at low levels in the UK since 2022, mainly among homosexuals and bisexuals,” the UKHSA reported.
Related: They detect the first infection due to the new mpox variant in Germany: what is known
ANDThe case was discovered in London and the person, hospitalized, “has recently traveled to African countries that are having cases of MPOX clade 1b,” the agency added.
On October 22nd it was detected in Germany a case of infection with this new variant, after another it also appeared in Sweden and several Asian countries.
“All contacts of this person will be offered a test and vaccination if necessary and will be informed of the additional care that should be provided if they develop symptoms or if the test is positive,” the UKHSA explained.
The organization added that it is working “in close collaboration” with the UK Public Health Service (NHS) “to determine the characteristics of the pathogen and further evaluate the risk to human health.”
Mpox is a virus that is transmitted from animals to humans, but also between humans It causes fever, muscle pain and skin lesions.
For several months now, a a new epidemic hits Africa, with the highest number of infections in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Burundi and Nigeria.
Given the new epidemic of this viral disease, Swiss pharmaceutical giant Roche has increased its production capacity to produce diagnostic tests for the disease as reported by its general manager on the occasion of the publication of the group’s sales data for the first nine months of the year.
Production capacity could increase up to “10 times” if necessary, “depending on how the situation evolves”Thomas Schineker told reporters.
Currently there are two simultaneous epidemics: one caused by clade 1 in central Africa, which mainly affects children, and another caused by the new variant, clade 1b, which affects adults in another region, east of the DRC and neighboring countries.
In total, Since January, 42,000 cases of smallpox have been recorded in Africa and about 1,100 people have died from the disease, the African Union health agency reported last week.
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Interview between Time.news Editor and Health Expert Dr. Sarah Thompson
Editor: Welcome, Dr. Thompson, and thank you for joining us today to discuss the recent news regarding the new variant of the mpox virus, previously known as monkeypox. The UKHSA has confirmed the first case of the MPOX clade 1b variant in the UK. What does this mean for public health in the region?
Dr. Thompson: Thank you for having me! The emergence of the MPOX clade 1b variant is indeed significant, but the UKHSA has indicated that the risk to the general population is currently low. This suggests that while we should remain vigilant, there is no immediate cause for alarm.
Editor: That’s reassuring to hear. Can you explain how this variant differs from the previously circulating clade 2 of the mpox virus, which has been noted to affect specific groups?
Dr. Thompson: Absolutely. Clade 1b, which we’ve seen in the recent case in the UK, is genetically distinct from clade 2. Clade 2 has been circulating primarily among men who have sex with men since 2022. While both variants are part of the same viral family, their transmission dynamics and affected demographics could differ. The emergence of clade 1b indicates that mpox is evolving and that new strains may introduce different public health challenges.
Editor: The patient in this case was hospitalized after traveling to African countries where this variant is present. How crucial is travel history in managing the outbreak?
Dr. Thompson: Travel history is incredibly important. It helps public health officials trace potential sources of infection and inform contact tracing efforts. In this case, the fact that the infected individual had recently been in areas with known cases of MPOX clade 1b underscores the need for awareness among travelers to these regions. Furthermore, it allows health agencies to prepare and provide necessary care to those who may have been in contact with the virus.
Editor: The UKHSA also mentioned that all contacts of this individual would be offered testing and vaccination. Can you elaborate on the importance of this strategy?
Dr. Thompson: Certainly! Offering tests and vaccinations to contacts is a preventive measure that helps contain the spread of the virus. Vaccination can provide protection against severe illness and help limit further transmission. Early identification through testing allows for prompt care and isolation if necessary, which is crucial in preventing larger outbreaks.
Editor: With this new case and reports of infections in Germany, Sweden, and parts of Asia, do you think we should be preparing for the possibility of a wider outbreak?
Dr. Thompson: While we should not panic, being prepared is essential. Globalized travel means that infectious diseases can spread quickly. Monitoring the situation closely and implementing preventative strategies, like vaccinations and public health communication, will be vital. It’s important for health organizations and governments to collaborate internationally, sharing data and resources to effectively manage any potential outbreaks.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Thompson, for your insightful analysis on this evolving situation. It’s always valuable to understand the measures in place to protect public health.
Dr. Thompson: Thank you for having me. Staying informed and aware is our best defense against emerging health threats.