**New Mpox Variant Identified in the UK: Health Officials Report Four Cases**

Health authorities in the United Kingdom have reported four cases of a new, more contagious strain of mpox, initially detected in Congo. This marks the first known cluster of this variant outside the African continent. The risk to the general public remains low, according to scientists.

The UK's first case of this new mpox variant was confirmed last week. The patient, who recently traveled to African countries experiencing outbreaks, is currently receiving treatment at a London hospital. Subsequently, three additional cases have been identified within the same household as the initial patient, all of whom are now also being treated in London hospitals.

Dr. Susan Hopkins, chief medical advisor of the U.K. Health Security Agency, noted, "Mpox is very infectious in households with close contact and so it is not unexpected to see further cases within the same household."

This newly identified variant of mpox was first discovered earlier this year in eastern Congo. Scientists suggest that it produces milder and less noticeable symptoms, contributing to its potential for wider spread because infected individuals might be unaware of their condition. The ongoing spread of mpox in Congo and other parts of Africa led the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare a global emergency in August.

The mpox variant has also caused outbreaks in Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda. Moreover, individual cases have been reported in travelers to countries such as Sweden, India, Germany, and Thailand. To date, Africa has recorded approximately 43,000 suspected cases of mpox, with over 1,000 fatalities, most occurring in Congo.

In response to these outbreaks, the WHO has allocated 899,900 vaccine doses to nine African countries that are grappling with the mpox epidemic, in an effort to curb the spread of the virus.