First it was a rash. Then came the fever. Now? It’s something far more serious.
Health experts in the UK are sounding the alarm about a deadlier mutation of the mpox virus — one that’s quietly spreading across Europe and the U.S., with no clear origin. This new strain, called Clade 1b, has been linked to miscarriages in Africa and kills up to 1 in 100 people infected.
“It may seem mild at first… but it can be devastating,” said one official. Many early cases are being found in men who have sex with men, prompting renewed calls for urgent vaccination.
So far, 16 cases have been confirmed in England. But most worrying? Several people infected in Spain, Italy, and the Netherlands have no travel history — suggesting the virus is spreading under the radar.
The UKHSA urges those at risk to get vaccinated now. “Please don’t wait,” one health official begged. “If you’re eligible, protect yourself.”
We weren’t ready in 2022. We don’t get a second chance to ignore the warning signs.
