Mpox Threatens Europe: The Alarming Spread of the Clade Ib Strain!

In a concerning development, the United Kingdom has reported another case of the contagious new strain of mpox, known as clade Ib. This marks the latest infection in Europe as health experts keep a watchful eye on the spread of the virus, which initially emerged in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in 2023, wreaking havoc in Central Africa with thousands of documented cases.

The mpox virus has two subtypes: Clade II, largely associated with low-level outbreaks in West Africa, and Clade I, which is more dangerous and severe, primarily found in Central Africa. Clade Ib, a subset of the latter, was first identified in September 2023 and has rapidly disseminated, particularly in regions like Burundi and Uganda.

How Is Mpox Spreading?

While there’s still much to learn about the severity of clade Ib, early reports suggest that it spreads more easily than its counterpart and is especially affecting younger populations. Symptoms of the virus include rashes, headaches, fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, and respiratory issues. Health officials are on high alert, especially since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Africa's mpox outbreak a global public health emergency in August 2024. As a precaution, they warned that cases in Europe were inevitable, although the current risk to the broader public remains low.

Beyond Africa, the current strain of mpox has now appeared in five European nations, alongside confirmations in the United States, Canada, Brazil, China, India, Thailand, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.

Here’s a breakdown of where clade Ib has been identified across Europe:

United Kingdom

The UK has reported a total of 11 cases, most of which have been linked to travel. A notable case emerged in April from a person who had not traveled recently and had no ties to confirmed cases, raising eyebrows among health officials. In response to the threat, the UK government purchased over 150,000 doses of mpox vaccine in September and established numerous vaccination sites across England.

Germany

With eight confirmed cases, Germany's first incident occurred in October 2024. Notably, cases in December involved a person returning from an affected area who then transmitted the virus to family members, including children.

Belgium

Belgium has recorded five cases since first identifying the infection in December. The initial cases involved travel-related exposure, and while subsequent infections were documented, no high-risk contacts have been identified.

France

In January, health authorities in France confirmed a case in Brittany linked to close contact with travelers from Central Africa. A second case followed in February, suggesting persistent monitoring will be necessary.

Sweden

In a troubling turn of events, Sweden became the first European nation outside Africa to report a clade Ib case in August 2024. A patient sought treatment in Stockholm after exposure in an outbreak area in Africa—this remains the only known case in the country.

Ireland

In February, Ireland reported a case of the more common clade Ia variant, which, while different from clade Ib, still poses significant concerns. The infected individual had recently returned from the DRC and required hospitalization in Dublin.

Health authorities across Europe are ramping up their defenses against mpox, ensuring research is ongoing to better understand clade Ib, its spread, and its impacts. The situation remains dynamic, and vigilance will be key in preventing wider outbreaks as the continent braces for potential challenges ahead.