UK health officials are getting ready incase a new type of the mpox virus appears, though they say the risk to the public is low. This comes after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared recent outbreaks in Africa as a global health emergency. Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, is a virus that causes painful skin rashes and sores.

Plans are being made to ensure UK doctors know the signs of the virus and have access to fast testing. A recent mpox case in Sweden was linked to travel in Africa. The WHO is concerned about a new strain of the virus, called Clade 1b, found in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and other African countries, where it has caused over 450 deaths in the DRC alone.

While this new strain hasn't been found in the UK yet, health officials are making sure the country is ready. Dr. Meera Chand from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said that healthcare workers are being prepared to quickly recognise and manage cases if they appear.

Mpox spreads through close contact with an infected person or contaminated items. Most people recover in two to four weeks, but it can be deadly for those with weak immune systems, pregnant women, and children. A large outbreak in the UK in 2022 was brought under control with vaccines, especially in communities most affected by the virus.