UK Issues Urgent Travel Warning as Highly Contagious Clade Ib Mpox Detected in the UAE with Cases Spreading to Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Sweden, and the USA

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A highly contagious strain of mpox has been reported in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a top destination for British travelers, prompting health officials to urge extra precautions. This new strain, identified as clade Ib, is believed to spread more easily than the clade II strain that caused the UK outbreak in 2022.

The outbreak, which is thought to have originated in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), has spread across several African nations. Cases have since been detected in countries like Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Sweden, and the USA.

As of February 4, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirmed nine cases of clade Ib mpox in the UK. The latest case involved an individual who had recently returned from Uganda, a similar situation to the UAE case.

The UAE is a popular destination for British tourists, with about 1.4 million Brits visiting annually and over 240,000 British residents in Dubai. Additionally, more than 5,000 British businesses operate in the UAE.

Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, spreads through close physical contact with mpox blisters or scabs. Symptoms typically appear within five to 21 days and include fever, headaches, muscle aches, fatigue, and swollen glands, followed by a rash. The World Health Organization (WHO) notes that young children, pregnant women, and individuals with weakened immune systems, particularly those with unmanaged HIV, face a higher risk of severe complications. However, most people recover within four weeks.

The UK’s National Health Service (NHS) has shared advice to reduce the risk of mpox transmission, including regular handwashing, monitoring for symptoms after traveling to central or east Africa, and discussing sexual health with partners. They also recommend abstaining from sex or intimate contact if symptoms develop until medical advice is obtained.

To address the outbreak, England has opened 12 new mpox vaccination sites, bringing the total to 31. These sites offer vaccines to individuals at higher risk, particularly men who have sex with men and engage in activities such as group sex or frequent visits to sex-on-premises venues.

Anyone experiencing symptoms of mpox after traveling to regions where the disease is prevalent should contact the NHS via 111.

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