Doctors across the UK have been put on alert amid fears that a new variant of Mpox could spread in the UK.
Health authorities have been instructed to keep an eye out for cases of the disease after Swedish authorities confirmed the entry of a deadly variant of the virus into the country.
Following the emergence of the confirmed case, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control was forced to raise its risk level.
In addition, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the highest level of global health emergency.
Mpox warning: British doctors on alert due to spread of new variantGetty ImagesThe new variant “Clade 1b” is a “more severe” variant of the virus that caused panic in 2022.
Officials also said the mortality rate was higher.
However, the British can rest assured that, according to the British Health Security Agency (UKHSA), no cases have been identified so far and the risk to the population is “low”.
A spokesman for the British NHS said the health service was “ready to respond” should the new variant emerge in the country.
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Christian Musema, a laboratory nurse, takes a sample from a child suspected of having Mpox. ReutersGeneral practitioners and hospitals were given access to rapid tests and instructed to isolate people with symptoms.
In addition, the government is believed to have sufficient vaccines and treatments to combat an outbreak on British shores.
Health and Welfare Minister Jakob Forssmed confirmed the emergence of the virus strain in Sweden, saying at a press conference in Stockholm: “We have also received confirmation this afternoon that there is a case of the more serious type of Mpox, known as Clade I, in Sweden.”
Dr. Chris Smith explained that Mpox outbreaks can “spread rapidly.”
A map of the MPOX outbreak in AfricaGettyLast week he told GB News’ Martin Daubney: “One of the criticisms that has been levelled around the world during the Covid pandemic has been that we have been too slow to get going.
“I think the WHO is trying to make sure we stay one step ahead. We know that prevention is better than cure.”
“If we do little or nothing and wait until there are cases, it is much more difficult to deal with these things and warn people.
“It could happen, we need to be prepared and stay vigilant. If we see a patient admitted to hospital who has travelled to an affected region, it means people are likely to take it more seriously.
“Think about the R-value of Covid. The R-value for this virus is about two to three. That means two to three people will be infected per person, which means outbreaks will grow quite quickly.
“By staying alert, staying vigilant and getting the world to respond, we can tackle the problem at source and minimize the risk to us here.”
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