Health officials in England have identified a newly evolved mpox variant after testing a person who recently returned from Asia. Genome sequencing revealed that the virus is a recombinant form containing elements from two known mpox clades – the more severe clade 1 and the less virulent clade 2, which caused the global mpox outbreak in 2022.
The UK Health Security Agency said it is investigating the significance of the new variant. While most mpox cases are mild, people eligible for vaccination are being urged to get protected. “It’s normal for viruses to evolve,” officials noted, stressing the importance of continued genomic surveillance as both clades continue to circulate globally.
Mpox spreads through close physical contact with infected rashes, contaminated materials like bedding or clothing, and through respiratory droplets. Symptoms can take up to three weeks to appear and include fever, headaches, muscle pain, exhaustion, followed by a rash.
Although recombinant virus emergence was expected, the discovery highlights the potential for future evolution. The World Health Organization recorded nearly 48,000 mpox cases worldwide in 2025 up to October, including 201 deaths. A vaccination programme remains in place for higher-risk groups, including those with multiple sexual partners or who attend sex-on-premises venues.
Experts say further monitoring will be key to understanding how this new strain behaves and whether it poses greater or lesser risk than previous variants.
