Health officials in England have identified a newly evolved variant of mpox, discovered in a person who recently travelled to Asia. Genome sequencing revealed that the virus is a recombinant strain, combining features of two known types: clade 1, a more severe form, and clade 2, the milder variant responsible for the global outbreak in 2022. Authorities say they are assessing its significance but stress that such viral evolution is not unexpected.
While most mpox cases remain mild, the UK Health Security Agency has urged those eligible to get vaccinated. Mpox spreads through close contact with blisters or scabs, contaminated materials such as bedding or clothing, or via respiratory droplets. Symptoms may take up to three weeks to appear and typically include fever, headaches, muscle pain and a rash.
The new variant highlights the importance of continued monitoring as mpox continues to evolve. Globally, the WHO recorded nearly 48,000 confirmed cases and 201 deaths in 2025, mostly linked to ongoing outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Experts say that if further cases of this recombinant strain emerge, its transmissibility and severity will need to be closely evaluated.
Vaccination programmes remain available in the UK for higher-risk groups, including people with multiple sexual partners or those attending sex-on-premises venues.
