Mpox Clade 1: What You Need to Know

UKHSA, 23 August 2024:

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared a public health emergency of international concern because of the rapid spread of a mpox virus strain, clade 1, after its emergence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) last year, and the potential for the virus to spread further across countries in Africa and outside the continent.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is working with the NHS, local authorities, and other government departments to ensure we are ready to respond to any cases we see in the UK and help prevent transmission.

In this blog post, we share more information about what mpox is, the different clades, the key symptoms and how UKHSA is working with partners to respond to the outbreak.

What is mpox?

Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) is a viral infection that spreads through close person-to-person contact. Like many diseases caused by a virus, mpox has different types or ‘clades’. There are two major clades of mpox, known as clade 1 and clade 2.

Clade 2 mpox has been present in the UK since 2022. Clade 1 mpox has previously only been reported in five countries in Central Africa but there is now increasing transmission of Clade 1 mpox in several countries in east and central Africa.

Anyone can catch either clade of mpox, as it spreads from person-to-person, through close contact (including intimate or sexual contact) with someone who has the mpox virus, through contact with contaminated materials, such as bed sheets or towels, and contact with infected animals.

Mpox does not spread easily between people unless there is very close contact.