UK preparing for worst-case mpox scenario, officials warn – as vaccines stockpiled amid global surge of killer strain

PUBLIC health experts are preparing for a worst-case mpox scenario anticipating the new strain could spread uncontrollably in the community.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is ramping up its preparedness and has ordered additional vaccines after a case of the new clade 1b variant was detected in Europe.

Mpox, previously called monkeypox, is a viral infection that causes flu-like symptoms and pus-filled lesions.

The new clade 1b variant started spreading rapidly in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DCR) last year.

As this new bug began to sweep across international borders, the World Health Organization (WHO) last month declared a global health crisis.

The clade 1 strain driving the current outbreak has a higher mortality rate than clade 2 which triggered the first emergency in 2022.

Experts also fear the new variant might also be more contagious.

While no cases of clade I mpox have been detected in the UK, the UKHSA – and the risk to the population is considered low –  the Goverment has begun preparing for a possible outbreak.

The UKHSA has created a series of Covid-style scenarios to forecast outcomes based on whether the bug is more or less transmissible than its predecessor.

Under scenario c, which examines the bug in its most contagious and deadly possible form – the virus could cause “widespread population transmission across multiple groups”.

As it stands, the bug mostly spreads among men who sleep with men through sexual contact.

However, under scenario c, the virus could be transmitted via touch and breathing alone.

This could mean the bug spreads among more groups, including children and the elderly.

However, experts believe the trajectory of the new bug is more likely to align with scenario a or b, both of which pose a much smaller risk to the population.

Scenario a, which involves a version of the bug less contagious than clade 2, would lead to a small cluster of cases emerging in the UK.

Scenario b, considers a version of the bug similar to clade 2, which would spark a “controllable epidemic”.

In preparation, the Government ahs order more mpox jabs to give

As part of preparations for potential cases of clade I mpox in the UK, the Government has also ordered more than 150,000 doses of mpox vaccine from biotechnology firm Bavarian Nordic to ensure high-risk groups are protected.

It is the same jab that was used to tackle the outbreak in 2022.

Under the plans, the Government has agreed that gay, bisexual or men who have sex with men should be offered the vaccine, along with close contacts of confirmed cases, certain healthcare workers in infectious diseases inpatient units and sexual health services, and certain health and humanitarian workers who go to affected countries.

It is understood the jab will be offered to patients in stages, as it becomes available and based on clinical need, with separate rollouts across the four nations.

Professor Susan Hopkins, chief medical adviser at the UK Health Security Agency, said: “There are no cases of clade I mpox confirmed in the UK and the risk to the general UK population of being exposed to mpox clade I is currently considered low.

“However, we are preparing for any cases that we might see in the UK and vaccination plays a vital part in our defences.

“Alongside vaccination, we have been working rapidly to ensure that clinicians are aware and able to recognise cases promptly, that rapid testing is available, and that protocols are developed for the safe clinical care of people who have the infection and the prevention of onward transmission.”

Clade II has been present in the UK for more than two years after a large outbreak was identified in the spring of 2022.

A vaccination programme was launched that summer and closed the following July.

It is understood more than 49,000 people have had two doses of the jab, which is 80% effective at preventing mpox cases, while more than 83,000 have had one dose.

Steve Russell, national director for vaccinations and screening at NHS England, added: “The NHS remains fully prepared to roll out mpox vaccination at pace once again to priority groups.

“While the risk of catching mpox in the UK is low, vaccination offers a vital level of protection for those most likely to be exposed. We encourage those eligible to come forward when invited by local health services, to ensure they have the best defence.”