The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed on Monday that a new case of Mpox clade 1b variant has been identified in England, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the country to six.

The patient had recently returned from Uganda, where the variant is circulating in the community. It is believed to spread more easily between individuals.

Clade 1b was declared a global health emergency by WHO in August. It is characterized by increased transmissibility, especially through human-to-human contact, including sexual transmission. Originated in the Democratic Republic of Congo, it quickly spread to surrounding African nations and beyond, with cases being reported from Europe and Asia as well.

Source: Reuters| [Read Full Story] (https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/new-case-mpox-variant-clade-ib-detected-england-2025-01-20/)