Scientists warn virus that poses 'serious global threat' could become pandemic (2025)

The mpox virus poses an "ever-increasing" epidemic and pandemic risk, British scientists warn

Mpox could become a serious global health threat if not taken seriously, British scientists have warned.

A team of researchers at the University of Surrey said the virus is now showing concerning evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission. In a letter published in Nature Medicine, the researchers warned mutations in the virus are increasing its severity.

Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, is a viral infection caused by a virus that belongs to the same family as small pox. The infection is most commonly found in parts of central and east Africa, but a global outbreak in 2022 caused cases to spike across the globe.

The spread of the Clade Ib variant outside endemic areas, such as in Europe and North America, led to heightened surveillance of the virus. In August 2024, in the World Health Organization (WHO) declared it a global health emergency.

After nine cases of mpox were confirmed in the UK, health officials downgraded the risk of the virus from "high consequence infectious disease" status on March 19. However, a recent WHO report has revealed the global outbreak continues, with 3,191 new cases reported in February 2025.

The WHO says common symptoms of mpox include a skin rash or lesions which can last two to four weeks, as well as a fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy and swollen lymph nodes.

The authors of the recent letter warn that a change in how the mpox virus is spreading suggests it is evolving to spread from person to person more easily. What's more, the authors warn cases of the more deadly clade I variants are now on the rise too.

Carlos Maluquer de Motes, Reader in Molecular Virology at the University of Surrey, said: “The most recent outbreaks show that intimate contact is now a significant way the virus spreads. That shift in how it’s transmitted is leading to longer transmission chains and lasting outbreaks.”

According to the NHS, mpox can be spread through any close physical contact with mpox blisters or scabs, touching clothing, bedding or towels used by someone with mpox, or through the coughs or sneezes of a person with mpox when they're close to you. In parts of central and east Africa, mpox can also be spread from infected rodents, such as rats, mice and squirrels.

Since mpox has an animal reservoir, it can’t be fully eradicated. The experts warn that the longer mpox viruses circulate amongst us, the higher the chances these mutations help the virus adapt to humans.

Dr Maluquer de Motes added: “Mpox control has to climb up the global health agenda. We have limited diagnostic tools and even fewer antiviral treatments.

"We urgently need better surveillance and local or regional capacity to produce what we need – otherwise, we are at risk of future epidemics."

The authors warn that unless international action is taken now, such as investment in point-of-care testing and new treatments, mpox will continue to re-emerge and threaten global health.