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The U.K. Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has identified a new recombinant strain of the mpox virus in England in a person who recently travelled to Asia.
Genomic analysis of the virus revealed that it contains genetic elements from both Clade Ib and Clade IIb, previously distinct subtypes of mpox. UKHSA officials said the discovery highlights the virus’s ongoing evolution and the need for continued monitoring.
“Our genomic testing has enabled us to detect this new mpox strain,” said Katy Sinka of UKHSA, the government body responsible for preventing and controlling infectious diseases. “Further analysis will help us understand more about how mpox is changing and its potential implications.”
Experts emphasized that recombinant strains are a recognized possibility in orthopoxviruses. Trudie Lang, director of the Global Health Network at the University of Oxford, said: “This case highlights that mpox is circulating globally and is evolving, as is predictable with these viruses.”
Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a viral infection related to smallpox. It can cause fever, body aches, and distinctive skin lesions and can be fatal in some cases. Transmission occurs through close physical contact with an infected person or contact with infected animals.
Globally, nearly 48,000 confirmed cases of mpox have been reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) this year, including 201 deaths across 94 countries. In August 2024, WHO declared mpox a public health emergency, a status that was lifted in September following a decline in cases.
In the U.K., a vaccination programme is available for individuals at higher risk, including people with multiple sexual partners and those who participate in group sexual activity. UKHSA has described the current level of mpox cases in the country as “low,” but officials stress that the identification of a recombinant strain underscores the importance of ongoing vigilance.
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