SPOT THE POX
The ‘most commonly missed’ symptoms of mpox revealed – as new killer strain detected in UK
Plus, a first-hand account of what mpox is REALLY like from someone who had it - at first Haran, was convinced he had Covid...
THE first case of a new, more potentially more dangerous, strain of mpox has been detected in the UK, health chiefs have warned.
Thousands of cases of the disease and hundreds of deaths have already been reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DCR) where it is spreading.
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In recent months, the Clade 1b strain has reached other continents, including Europe and Asia.
Germany reported its first case of the mutant bug earlier this month, following Sweden’s first case in August.
There have also been cases reported in Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Thailand and India.
Since then, it has infected more than 25,000 people and is responsible for more than 1,000 deaths.
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Scientists are already concerned by , and by its high fatality rate.
This prompted the World Health Organisation (WHO) to name the increasing spread of the disease a global health emergency for the second time in two years.
The Clade 1b is different from the Clade 2 strain that has been circulating in the UK since 2022 and is thought to cause more severe disease.
The first UK case tested positive for the Clade 1b strain on October 29 in London and is believed to have contracted the virus while on holiday in an African country affected by the outbreak.
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The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said the risk to the UK population from the potentially more dangerous variant "remains low".
The infected patient has since been moved to the Royal Free Hospital in London, a high-consequence infectious diseases unit where people infected with Ebola have been treated in the past.
Mpox declared as public health emergency in Africa
Health officials are now racing to trace close contacts of the patient who landed back in the UK on an overnight flight on October 21.
While planning is underway in the UK to prepare for more cases, the superintendent pharmacist at , , has shared with The Sun the symptoms of mpox to look out for.
Mpox symptoms and those easily missed
- High temperature
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Backache
- Swollen glands
- Shivering (chills)
- Exhaustion
- Joint pain
Mr Kanani said: “Around one to five days after the first symptoms, a rash on the face usually appears.
“Its appearance of raised spots and small blisters filled with fluid can be mistaken for chickenpox and tends to spread to other parts of the body including genitals, anus and mouth.
“Anal bleeding and pain may also be experienced.”
The most common symptom, according to Mr Kanani, is typically the skin rash which can last two to four weeks.
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I mistook monkeypox for Covid – I’ve never been in so much pain
A MAN who caught mpox in 2022 first believed he had Covid before experiencing agonising symptoms that made him fear for his life.
Harun Tulunay, a 37-year-old charity worker, experienced extreme symptoms which left him hospitalised for almost two weeks.
Harun, who lives in London, first started to display flu-like symptoms back in early June 2022, such as high fever, chills and muscle aches.
After having recently caught Covid he was “convinced” he had had the virus again, he told The Sun. “But every test I did came back negative.”
A few days later, the charity worker developed a red and white rash on his body that resembled an allergic reaction, which he said was “nothing like the monkeypox pictures you see online”.
It wasn’t until a few days later that he also noticed a painless spot on his nose which he assumed was a mosquito-like bite or pimple.
Harun works in sexual health so is well versed in monkeypox and its symptoms, but he had never seen his rash or spot associated with the disease and so didn’t think he could have it.
A few days later, Harun's health took a turn for the worse as his fever reached 40C. “No amount of painkillers would ease the pain,” he said.
It was at this point that Harun developed swollen tonsils and a very sore throat.
“I couldn’t breathe, swallow or speak,” he said.
“I vividly remember calling up the hospital and crying in pain.";
Harun was finally referred to the hospital where he was put into isolation.
His test confirmed he had monkeypox, and only then did lesions often associated with monkeypox begin to appear on his hands, legs, and feet.
"My throat was covered," he said, explaining that the lesion on his nose was bigger and had become infected.
“I was scared I would die alone in my hospital room,” he said. “I’d never been in so much pain in my life.”
“I remember looking at a water bottle and crying because I couldn’t drink it,” he added.
Harun has now made a full recovery.
He said for some people the first symptom may be a rash, while others may have different symptoms first.
But one symptom commonly missed, Kanani warned, is swollen glands or lymph nodes.
He explained: “Swollen glands or lymph nodes can be commonly mistaken for other causes and are not always obvious, particularly if there is mild swelling or it is deep in the body.
“Also, this symptom can be missed because the rash tends to be the most prominent symptom of mpox.”
Who is most likely to get mpox?
Mpox doesn’t spread easily between people unless there’s very close contact, according to UKHSA.
The virus is transmitted via close contact with someone who has mpox - skin-to-skin contact, breathing it in, or being in contact with the eyes, nose, mouth and genitals.
Kanani said: “The majority of cases have been found in men who have sex with men therefore men who are gay or bisexual, who have multiple partners or have group sex are all more likely to get monkeypox.
“Healthcare workers caring for patients with confirmed or suspected monkeypox are also at higher risk.
“Older people, young children and those with an underlying condition or who are taking a medicine that affects their immune system are at higher risk of needing hospital treatment if they become infected with mpox.”
The NHS is offering the smallpox (MVA) vaccine to people who are most likely to be exposed to mpox.
What should you do if you experience symptoms of mpox?
If you notice any of the symptoms listed above, the only way to be certain if you have mpox or not is to call a sexual health clinic so they can evaluate your symptoms and exposure history.
Kanani advised: “It’s best to call before you visit the clinic.
"It’s better to call NHS 111 if you have a rash but you have not been in close contact with someone who has or might have mpox and have not recently visited west or central Africa.
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“The NHS advises that you stay at home and avoid close contact with other people, including sharing towels or bedding, until you’ve been told what to do.
“Call your sexual health clinic and explain your symptoms. If your symptoms are mild you may be asked to isolate at home.”
Who can get the mpox vaccine?
The NHS is offering the smallpox (MVA) vaccine to people who are most likely to be exposed to mpox.
People who are most likely to be exposed include:
- Gay, bisexual, or other men who have sex with men (GBMSM)
- Some health workers that work on infectious disease inpatient units and sexual health services
- Some health and aid workers travel to affected countries to work within mpox response or sites with active outbreaks
- Close contacts of confirmed cases
The NHS mpox outbreak vaccination programme is currently only available in London and Greater Manchester, to people who live or travel to have sex there.
Healthcare workers will usually be offered two doses of the vaccine.
Men who are gay, bisexual or have sex with other men will be offered 2 doses of the vaccine. The 2nd dose will be offered from 2 to 3 months after the 1st dose.
Your local NHS services will contact you when you can get your 2nd dose.
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