England's Mpox Outbreak Continues in 2023

The U.K. Health Security Agency (UKHSA) today published an analysis focused on the resurgence of mpox in England.

As of May 24, 2023, the UKHSA reported 20 new cases of mpox.

 Of these, 19 were in England (10 cases were presumed to have acquired mpox in the U.K., eight were acquired outside the U.K., and one was waiting for classification), and one was in Scotland.

The UKHSA did not disclose the vaccination status of the mpox cases.

During 2022, there were 3,732 confirmed and highly probable mpox cases reported in the U.K. Of these, 3,553 were in England.

Before 2022, cases diagnosed in the U.K. had been imported from countries where mpox is endemic or contacts with documented epidemiological links to imported cases. Between 2018 and 2021, there were 7 cases of mpox in the U.K. 

Anyone eligible for mpox vaccination in the U.K. is urged to come forward for the vaccine in the coming months to protect themselves before the summer of 2023.

Steve Russell, NHS director of vaccinations and screening, stated in March 2023, "There is still time to get your first and second doses if you haven't already, which will provide long-term protection against the virus and any possible future outbreaks, so please do book an appointment while the offer is available on the NHS."

Bavarian Nordic's JYNNEOS® (MVA-BN) vaccine is offered in the U.K. as well as in the U.S.

Last week, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed a cluster of mpox infections in mostly vaccinated men in the Chicago, Illinois area.

Mpox is a sexually transmitted disease, similar to HPV and hepatitis, that is vaccine-preventable.