Mpox update

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirmed two cases of Clade Ib mpox have been detected in household contacts of the first case, announced last week. This brings the total number of cases confirmed to three.

All three cases are receiving specialist care in London. UKHSA advise that mpox risk in the UK remains low.

UKHSA have also published guidance for contacts of mpox cases: Mpox: information for contacts of cases of clade I mpox - GOV.UK

We are in regular contact with officials about contingency plans. As we receive further guidance we will share this with you. At present guidance is as follows:

Relevant Guidance

Current guidance and advice can be found at: Infection prevention and control: resource for adult social care - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk), Mpox pathway action cards (england.nhs.uk) and High consequence infectious diseases (HCID) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
 

Mpox advice for ASC providers

Providers should contact their local GP or NHS 111 for a clinical assessment if a person in their care shows symptoms of mpox. If a resident or person who draws on care is then suspected by a health care professional of having mpox clade I, that person will need to be transferred to an appropriate NHS setting by ambulance for testing and specialist care.

Any person with suspected mpox will remain in hospital until mpox clade I is diagnosed or excluded through testing. If mpox clade I is diagnosed, the person will receive care at the hospital. The Health Protection Team  (HPT) will then inform the care setting and will undertake risk assessments, initiate contact tracing and advise on decontamination processes. If mpox clade I is not diagnosed, and there is no other reason that they need to be in hospital, the person can be discharged back to their care provider or home and cared for as usual.
 

Mpox advice for ASC staff

If the person suspected to be a case of mpox clade I is a member of staff, that person should call NHS 111 for advice. The member of staff should avoid work and remain at home until they have been assessed by a healthcare professional. If mpox clade I is diagnosed, HPTs will inform the care provider and advice, similar to the above, will be provided.
 

Ongoing contingency planning

DHSC and the UKHSA are assessing and reviewing existing HCID (High Consequence Infectious Disease) guidance. As part of this, they will begin drafting guidance to support the ASC sector in the event of any HCID being identified in an ASC setting. 

We understand this is a long-term project with multiple parties involved and wider issues. DHSC have said they will reach out for stakeholder input and views at the relevant time.