Warning to 'take extra precautions' as cases of infectious disease found in UK

Health experts have urged people to “take extra precautions” as more cases of an infectious disease have been detected in the UK. The latest figures show there have been 16 known cases of a specific strain of mpox in England.

In an update, Travel Health Pro said: “As of 11 September 2025, a total of 16 clade Ib mpox cases have been reported in the UK, all in England. Most of these cases had either direct or indirect links to travel to countries where mpox clade Ib is circulating.”

This strain is believed to be more contagious than the clade II strain that sparked an outbreak in the UK in 2022. Mpox, which was previously known as monkeypox,can be transmitted from person to person through close physical contact with mpox blisters or scabs.

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After infection with mpox, symptoms typically manifest between five and 21 days later. The initial signs of mpox can include a high fever, painful headaches, muscular pains and backache, as well as swollen glands, shivering fits, utter exhaustion and joint pain. After one to five days from the onset, a rash could break out anywhere on the body.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) warns that the very young, expectant mothers, and those with weakened immune systems, particularly individuals with poorly managed HIV, are more susceptible to acute complications from mpox which could be fatal. Most individuals, however, recover within four weeks.

Figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirmed that all of the 16 cases in the UK were found in England. It said: “Most of these cases have reported direct or indirect links to travel to countries where mpox clade Ib is circulating.”

Multiple African nations have been grappling with a spate of clade Ib mpox cases since 2024. Elsewhere, imported instances have emerged in several countries, including Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Sweden, and the United States.

The NHS recommends you call 111 if you have any symptoms of mpox and you've been to central or east Africa in the past three weeks and had close contact with someone who had symptoms of mpox.

The health body noted that while the illness is “rare” there are things you can do to reduce your chance of getting it and passing it on. These include:

• Get vaccinated if you're offered the mpox vaccine
• Wash your hands with soap and water regularly or use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser
• Look out for any possible symptoms of mpox for three weeks after returning from central or east Africa
• Talk to sexual partners about their sexual health and any symptoms they may have
• Be aware of the symptoms of mpox if you're sexually active, especially if you have new sexual partners
• Take a break from sex and intimate contact if you have symptoms of mpox until you're seen by a doctor and are told you cannot pass it on
• Do not share bedding or towels with people who may have mpox
• Do not have close contact (within one metre) with people who may have mpox
• Do not go near wild or stray animals, including animals that appear unwell or are dead, while travelling in central or east Africa
• Do not eat or touch meat from wild animals while travelling in central or east Africa

Between 2023 and 2025 the UKHSA confirmed there have been a total of 589 cases of mpox clade IIb reported in the UK. The UKHSA said: “Despite continuing and regular imports of mpox clade IIb, it is likely case numbers during 2023 to 2025 remain substantially lower than that seen in 2022 as a result of high levels of vaccine protection suppressing transmission.”