The mpox virus never truly vanished after the 2022 global outbreak. A new version, called clade Ib, is now showing signs of local spread in several European countries, prompting health experts to sound the alarm on vaccination. This isn’t about panic—it’s about practical steps to stay ahead of a virus that can still cause uncomfortable symptoms and, in rare cases, serious complications.
Public health agencies across the continent are tracking small clusters of clade Ib infections. The strain, first identified in central Africa, has popped up in places like Portugal, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, and even the United States. What makes this development noteworthy is how the virus appears to be moving: through close contact in specific social settings, particularly among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (often abbreviated as GBMSM).
Dr. Katy Sinka, who leads the sexually transmitted infections team at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), put it bluntly: the way mpox keeps finding new paths around the world should motivate anyone eligible to roll up their sleeve for the vaccine. Her team has documented 16 clade Ib cases in England so far, none linked to transmission within the GBMSM community in the UK. That detail matters—it shows the virus can arrive through travel or other routes, not just the networks health officials have been monitoring closely.
How Mpox Spreads and Why Clade Ib Raises Eyebrows
Mpox isn’t airborne like flu or COVID-19. It passes primarily through prolonged skin-to-skin contact, especially during intimate moments, or by touching contaminated objects like bedding, towels, or sex toys. The virus enters the body through broken skin, the respiratory tract, or mucous membranes (eyes, mouth, genitals).
Clade Ib differs from the clade II strain that drove the 2022 outbreak. Early genetic sequencing suggests clade Ib may transmit more efficiently in certain settings. Scientists in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the strain emerged, observed higher attack rates in households and sexual networks compared to older variants. European cases remain low—single digits in most countries—but local transmission means the virus is no longer just “imported.” It’s circulating.
Real-world data from the UK illustrates the shift. Between January and October 2025, the UKHSA upgraded the risk of clade Ib entering the country from “medium” to “high.” Onward spread within the UK, however, stays “low to medium” thanks to targeted vaccination and rapid contact tracing. That balance could tip if vaccine uptake stalls.
Who Should Get Vaccinated—and Where to Find the Shot
The UK runs a routine mpox vaccination program using the Jynneos vaccine (also known as Imvamune in some regions). Eligibility focuses on behavior, not identity. You qualify if you:
- Have multiple sexual partners
- Participate in group sex
- Frequent sex-on-premises venues (saunas, dark rooms, cruising spots)
Clinics in major cities like London, Manchester, and Brighton offer walk-in and booked appointments. Sexual health services embedded in the NHS handle most cases. Private options exist but cost more and aren’t subsidized.
Charities supporting LGBTQ+ communities have added urgency around upcoming Winter Pride events in cities like Lisbon, Madrid, and Amsterdam. Travelers planning to attend should check their vaccination status at least two weeks before departure—full protection requires two doses spaced 28 days apart.
Vaccine Effectiveness: What the Numbers Say
No head-to-head trials pit Jynneos against clade Ib yet. Researchers rely on proxy data from clade II studies. A 2022 CDC analysis of over 500 GBMSM in the United States found that two doses reduced mpox infection risk by 75–80%. One dose offered roughly 66% protection. Breakthrough cases still occur, but vaccinated individuals typically experience milder rashes and shorter illness.
Dr. Susan Buchbinder, an infectious disease specialist at the University of California, San Francisco, who helped run early Jynneos trials, stresses that “milder” doesn’t mean “nothing.” Vaccinated patients in her clinic reported fewer lesions, less pain, and faster recovery. Hospital admissions dropped sharply among the immunized.
The European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) echoes this cautious optimism. Their October 2025 risk assessment states: “Vaccination remains the cornerstone of prevention, even against emerging clades.”
Symptoms to Watch For
Mpox announces itself in stages. An initial flu-like phase brings:
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Back pain
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Exhaustion
Within one to three days, the trademark rash appears. Lesions start flat, turn raised, fill with fluid, then crust over. They concentrate on the face, palms, soles, and genitals, but can spread anywhere. The entire process lasts two to four weeks.
Clade Ib doesn’t seem dramatically more severe than clade II in immunocompetent adults. Children, pregnant people, and those with untreated HIV face higher odds of complications like secondary bacterial infections or pneumonia. The UKHSA downgraded both clade I strains from “high-consequence infectious disease” status in late 2024, reflecting lower mortality compared to Ebola or smallpox.
Still, nobody wants pus-filled sores on their genitals for a month. Early treatment with tecovirimat (TPOXX) shortens symptoms in severe cases, but the antiviral isn’t licensed for routine use in the UK and requires specialist approval.
Travel Advisories and Pride Season Precautions
Popular gay travel circuits overlap with affected regions. Lisbon’s Pride in June, Madrid’s Orgullo in July, and Amsterdam’s Pride in August draw hundreds of thousands. Winter editions in November and December are smaller but still pull international crowds.
The UK Foreign Office hasn’t issued mpox-specific travel bans, but its guidance urges vaccination for anyone engaging in high-risk activities abroad. Portugal’s Direção-Geral da Saúde offers free Jynneos to eligible residents and, in limited cases, visitors through sexual health clinics in Lisbon and Porto.
Practical tips for safer travel:
- Complete the two-dose series before departure.
- Carry vaccination records—some venues require proof.
- Use barriers (condoms, dental dams) consistently; they reduce but don’t eliminate risk.
- Avoid sharing towels or clothing in communal settings.
- Monitor for symptoms up to 21 days after return.
Lessons from the 2022 Outbreak
The 2022 surge caught many off guard. Over 100,000 cases worldwide exposed gaps in surveillance, vaccine supply, and stigma-free messaging. The UK alone recorded nearly 4,000 infections, mostly in London.
Community mobilization turned the tide. Grassroots groups like Prepster and 56 Dean Street ran pop-up clinics in clubs and saunas. Vaccine uptake hit 70% among eligible GBMSM in major cities. Cases plummeted by autumn 2022.
Dr. Claire Dewsnap, president of the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH), credits “rapid, non-judgmental access” for the success. She warns against complacency: “Viruses evolve. So must our response.”
Global Context: Africa Bears the Brunt
Europe’s cases are a footnote compared to central Africa. The Democratic Republic of Congo reported over 20,000 suspected clade Ib infections in 2025 alone, with hundreds of deaths. Children under 15 account for 60% of fatalities due to malnutrition and limited healthcare.
Vaccine inequity remains stark. Wealthy nations stockpiled Jynneos during 2022; Africa received trickle-down doses. The Africa CDC has secured 200,000 doses for high-risk groups, but needs millions more.
European travelers visiting affected regions should consult travel clinics for pre-exposure vaccination and post-exposure protocols if contact occurs.
Contact Tracing and Testing in the UK
Anyone with mpox symptoms can access free testing through sexual health clinics or by calling 111. Swabs from lesions confirm the virus within 48 hours. Positive cases trigger confidential partner notification. Health advisors help trace contacts without outing anyone.
The UKHSA uses genomic sequencing to distinguish clades. All 16 clade Ib samples in England trace back to travel from Africa or Europe, not local chains in the GBMSM community. That firewall could crack if unvaccinated networks overlap.
Stigma and Mental Health
Outbreaks amplify stigma. Social media posts blaming “promiscuity” surged during 2022. Mental health referrals from sexual health clinics rose 30%.
Terrence Higgins Trust, the UK’s largest sexual health charity, runs peer support lines. Counselor Mark Johnson says, “Fear of judgment keeps people from testing or vaccinating. We counter that with facts and empathy.”
Research Pipeline
Scientists are watching clade Ib mutations. A lysine-to-arginine change in the B2R gene may enhance skin cell binding. Lab studies at Porton Down suggest current vaccines still neutralize the variant, but field data will tell the full story.
Bavarian Nordic, the manufacturer, has ramped production to 10 million doses annually. The UK secured an additional 150,000 doses in September 2025.
Safer Sex in the Age of Mpox
Condoms help but aren’t foolproof—lesions on the thighs or abdomen can still transmit virus. Regular STI screening catches asymptomatic infections. Open conversations with partners about vaccination status build trust.
Apps like Grindr added mpox banners in 2022; they’re back for 2025. Push notifications link to clinic finders.
Workplace and Education Settings
Universities with large LGBTQ+ societies are hosting vaccine drives. Manchester’s “Protect Your Pride” campaign vaccinated 800 students in one weekend.
Employers in the adult entertainment or massage industries can request outreach clinics. Confidentiality is guaranteed.
Children and Heterosexual Transmission
Clade Ib spreads efficiently in Congolese households, often child-to-child via shared bedding. European heterosexual cases remain rare—fewer than 50 across the continent. Still, pediatricians are briefed on recognition.
Pregnant women exposed to mpox risk fetal infection. The UK Obstetric Surveillance System tracks outcomes.
Looking Ahead
Mpox won’t disappear. Endemic in rodent populations across Africa, spillovers will recur. Climate change and deforestation may increase human-wildlife contact.
The goal isn’t eradication but control. Robust vaccination, surveillance, and stigma-free care keep outbreaks manageable.
Eligible readers: check your status today. One jab now beats weeks of lesions later. Clinics are ready, and the science backs the shot.