The first UK case of a potentially deadly strain of the mpox virus has been detected in London.

It comes a day after the World Health Organization (WHO) activated an emergency health measure for the first time to support countries facing mpox outbreaks.

The person involved developed flu-like symptoms more than 24 hours later and, on October 24, started to develop a rash, which worsened in the following days.

The person attended an emergency department in London on October 27, where they were swabbed, tested and sent home to isolate while waiting for the results.

They have now been transferred to the Royal Free Hospital high-consequence infectious diseases unit for treatment.

Mpox is a viral disease that causes fluid-filled skin lesions, fever and in severe cases, death. A dangerous new variant, called Clade 1b, is gripping parts of Central and West Africa. It is also spreading beyond the continent.