Experts are warning about a new variant of Monkeypox, three times as deadly as the strain currently spreading through the UK, after 120 people died in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The current strain detected in the UK has so far killed just 26 people across the world, while the new strain - Clade I - has been linked to 120 deaths in one country alone. The World Health Organisation says Clade I has rapidly spread through the DRC and could now cross international borders.
It has a fatality rate of 10.6% - three times that of the current dominant strain. Clade I has historically only been found in the DRC and South Sudan, but the WHO fears it could now spread to other countries as it expands rapidly.
WHO does not know whether Clade I’s high death toll in DRC is a result of poor access to healthcare or more lethal symptoms.
As of September 20, more than 45,000 people in the UK have received a dose of the monkeypox vaccine, including more than 40,000 gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men.
The disease is traditionally confined to parts of Africa but cases began occurring in the UK in early May. There were 3,523 confirmed and 150 highly probable monkeypox cases in the UK, according to data for October 10.
A total of 3,499 were in England, 94 in Scotland, 34 in Northern Ireland, and 46 in Wales. Professor Neil Ferguson said vaccination and behavioural changes were likely responsible for falling infections in the UK.
He told the BBC: “We’re not completely sure of exactly why. Vaccination started to be rolled out so that probably had some effect – but it doesn’t explain it all.
“The most likely hypothesis is that there was quite a big change in behaviour in the most affected community, namely men who have sex with men.”
The Imperial College London academic, whose data was instrumental to the UK going into the first Covid lockdown in March 2020, also told the broadcaster the situation was now “very positive”.
There was a peak of 60 cases per day in mid-July. In early September there were fewer than 15 cases per day on average. Prof Ferguson, a member of the Government’s Sage scientific advisory panel, warned against complacency against the disease.
“We have to be alert to the possibility that once case numbers are much lower and maybe people are less vigilant, then we could start to see a resurgence,” he told the BBC.
Those most at risk from monkeypox will be offered second doses of the vaccine, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said recently. Sexual health clinics will continue to prioritise offering first doses to those at highest risk.
Some clinics will offer eligible people a second dose, which the UKHSA said should provide longer-term protection. Modelling published on September 23 suggests vaccinating 25% of the groups most at risk could significantly reduce the risk of transmission.
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) endorsed the UKHSA’s proposal to offer second doses to those at highest risk. There are no current plans to widen the offer of vaccination beyond the existing priority cohorts, but the decision will be kept under review.
Those that are eligible for vaccination will be called by the NHS. Second doses will be offered from around two or three months after the first dose.
