England's Mpox Cases Continues in June 2025

When a new disease becomes a significant health concern, the World Health Organization advises that it's best to understand the current situation to target more effective responses.

In 2022, the monkeypox virus (MPXV) clade II was identified circulating outside of endemic countries in Africa, leading to the declaration of a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC).

Although this emergency was lifted in May 2023, a new clade, Ib, emerged in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It's spread to neighboring countries prompted the WHO Director-General to declare a second PHEIC in August 2024, which is ongoing.

Currently, the WHO European Region reports more than 200 mpox cases each month, with the vast majority being attributed to MPXV clade II.

One of the most impacted areas is England.

Between 2018 and 2021, there were 7 cases of mpox in the UK. Of these, four were imported. There was no documented community transmission. The first case of mpox clade Ib infection was confirmed in the UK in late October 2024.

According to the UK Health Security Agency's epidemiological overview issued on June 6, 2025, there are recent mpox cases in England belonging to clade Ib and clade IIb.

As of the end of May 2025, 12 cases of mpox clade Ib have been reported in England.

Most of these cases have been reported to have direct or indirect links to travel to countries where mpox clade Ib is circulating.

To address this sexually transmitted disease, England has launched an innovative vaccination campaign.

Beginning in August 2025, England will introduce a new routine mpox and gonorrhoea vaccination program, delivered by local authority-commissioned sexual health services.

This UKHSA letter provides the information required to implement the expanded pre-exposure mpox and new 4CMenB for gonorrhoea vaccination program. There will be a rolling start; all providers are expected to offer vaccinations by September 2025.

Mpox (Imvanex, JYNNEOS) and 4CMenB (Bexsero®) vaccines can be administered with or at any interval before or after all other vaccines.

As of June 24, 2025, these U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved vaccines are generally available at health clinics and pharmacies in the United States.