Health officials in England have identified a newly evolved mpox variant in a person who recently travelled to Asia. Genome sequencing revealed that the virus is a recombinant form, combining elements of two circulating mpox strains – the more severe clade 1 and the less virulent clade 2, which caused the global outbreak in 2022.
The UK Health Security Agency said it is still assessing the significance of the new strain. While most mpox cases remain mild, experts warn that the discovery shows how the virus continues to evolve, stressing the importance of vaccination among eligible groups.
Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, spreads through close physical contact with blisters or scabs, contaminated materials such as clothing or bedding, and respiratory droplets. Symptoms may take up to three weeks to appear and include fever, headache, muscle pain and exhaustion, followed by a rash.
The recombinant strain was “not unexpected”, officials noted, since both clades are still present globally. Scientists say ongoing genomic surveillance will be crucial to understanding whether the new variant behaves differently.
The World Health Organization recorded nearly 48,000 mpox cases and over 200 deaths worldwide in 2025. Vaccination programmes remain in place in the UK for those at higher risk, including people with multiple sexual partners or who attend sex-on-premises venues.
Researchers emphasise that if additional cases appear, it will be vital to monitor transmission routes, severity and symptom patterns to determine whether this variant poses greater or lesser risk than previous forms.
