Suspected mpox case reported in North Somerset amid global outbreak

Two suspected cases of monkeypox have emerged in Somerset. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared monkeypox, now known as mpox, a global health emergency following a large number of cases in sub-Saharan Africa.

Data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reveals that between 2023 and 2024, England experienced 269 instances of mpox. A breakdown shows 116 infections likely occurred within the nation, 82 contracted overseas, and classification is pending for 71 cases.

Notably, none of the UK incidents involve the clade I strain of mpox, which is raising alarms in Africa, reports Somerset Live. The suspected cases in the county are in North Somerset and Taunton Deane, near the Devon border.

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A detailed look at the last 52 weeks up to the end of June uncovers 90 statutory notifications of infectious diseases (NOIDs) involving suspected mpox reported to the UKHSA. These notices are crucial for healthcare providers, serving as an early indicator for potential outbreaks across regions.

Although the bulk of these tentative diagnoses are concentrated in London - particularly Lambeth with 10 and Southwark with eight - other areas including Somerset have also reported cases, specifically one each in North Somerset and Taunton Deane.

Meanwhile, a surge in mpox cases within the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and various African nations, has been labelled a "public health emergency of international concern" by WHO.

The same classification has previously been applied to Covid-19, Ebola outbreaks, and the 2022 outbreak of mpox in Europe. Professor Dimie Ogoina, chair of WHO's Emergency Committee, warned that the rise in cases - coupled with the spread of a new sexually transmissible strain of the mpox virus - "is an emergency, not only for Africa, but for the entire globe".

Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is an infectious disease caused by a virus. It can cause flu-like symptoms including fever, muscle aches, and a skin rash or pus-filled lesions that can last two to four weeks.

It can be passed on through contact with someone who has the infection or with infected animals. There are broadly two different strains of mpox, known as "clades". Clade I, the strain currently sweeping across Africa, is considered the more dangerous.

Dr Meera Chand, Deputy Director at UKHSA, said: "The risk to the UK population is currently considered low. However, planning is underway to prepare for any cases that we might see in the UK. This includes ensuring 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."

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of the World Health Organisation, expressed his concern, stating: "The emergence of a new clade of mpox, its rapid spread in eastern DRC, and the reporting of cases in several neighbouring countries are very worrying. On top of outbreaks of other mpox clades in DRC and other countries in Africa, it's clear that a coordinated international response is needed to stop these outbreaks and save lives."