Health chiefs in England have issued new guidance for schools and day cares centres on what to do if they detect a case of mpox.
The document warns education and care provides about potential cases of a new deadlier and more infectious strain of the virus that spread across the UK in 2022.
Called clade 1b, the new strain is currently ripping through central Africa and has landed in parts of Europe, with some expects predicting it has likely reached the UK already.
Officials’ warning comes as new data from the African Centers for Disease Control shows that children are bearing the brunt of what the World Health Organization has called a ‘public health emergency’.
Data from the body shows that over half of the cases reported in Africa since January, some 58 per cent, are among under 15s.
The mpox outbreak in Africa continues to grow rapidly with nearly 25,000 cases between January and September 5 this year, a huge rise on the previous year. The vertical blue represents when Afrcia’s CDC decalred the ongoing outbreak a ‘public health emergency of continental security’ last month
UKHSA’s guidance says education and childcare providers should contact them regarding any mpox cases among staff, children or their families.
The document states that there have been a small number of mpox cases recorded in the UK since 2022, but these of the milder clade 2 strain.
But it now has an added section on the strain sparking alarm across the world and while acknowledging no cases have been found in Britain officials say this is only ‘so far’.
‘There have not been any cases of the type of mpox that may be more serious (called clade 1 mpox) in the UK,’ it reads.
‘So far this type of mpox has mainly been found in countries across west, central and east Africa.’
Experts have told MailOnline that given it can weeks from infection with mpox, previously called monkeypox, the virus may already be in Britain.
It has already reached Europe with Swedish officials confirming a case last month.
UKHSA officials go on to write that the chance of catching mpox in the UK is low and that most people infected with the virus recover within several weeks.
However, they add that mpox can be more severe in certain groups including children under five.
The UKHSA guidance says while mpox generally doesn’t easily spread through people, possible transmission routes include direct skin-to-skin contact, contact with an infected person’s clothing or bedding, or coughing or sneezing from a patient.
Officials conclude their guidance by stating schools and day care facilities should exclude people with mpox until those children are given the all-clear from their doctor.
The new guidance comes as African CDC data shows that in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the worst hit nation so far, 58 per cent of cases are among the under 15s.
Data gathered from Burundi also replicates this pattern with 54 per cent of cases among children.
Overall, the mpox outbreak in Africa continues to grow rapidly with nearly 25,000 cases between January and September 5 this year.
This 104 per cent more compared to the same period in 2023.
In total, while some 25,000 cases have been recorded only 5,500 have been confirmed through laboratory testing due to a lack of resources in the countries affected.
A total of 643 deaths have been recorded, the vast majority (99 per cent) in the DRC.
A woman cares her baby suffering from a severe form of mpox in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo
The new strain of mpox, formerly called monkeypox, is far deadlier than the mild strain which spread to over a dozen countries, including the UK, in 2022.
It is estimated to kill about one in 20 adults, but the mortality rate rises to one in 10 in children.
In comparison, clade 2 only killed roughly about one in every 500 people that caught it.
While both strains spread through sexual contact, it can also be spread through direct contact for example, for example through cleaning, or sharing clothing and bedding.
Experts have said fatality rates for clade 1b from central Africa are unlikely to be replicated in developed nations like the UK due to better access to higher quality healthcare.
UKHSA has cautioned it is ‘already planning’ for UK cases of the new strain.
Mpox typically causes characteristic lumpy lesions, as well as a fever, aches and pains and fatigue.
In a small number of cases, it can enter the blood and lungs, as well as other parts of the body like the brain which causes it to become life-threatening.
UKHSA was contacted for comment.
