The detection of a newly identified recombinant mpox virus containing genetic material from two known strains underscores the need for continued genomic surveillance, the World Health Organization (WHO) said, as the overall global public health risk assessment remains unchanged, according to a statement. WHO confirmed that two cases of the recombinant strain—combining genomic elements of clades Ib and IIb of the monkeypox virus—have been identified to date: one in the United Kingdom and one in India. Both patients had recent travel histories, and neither experienced severe illness.
No secondary cases were detected following contact tracing. Recombination is a natural process that can occur when two related viruses infect the same person and exchange genetic material, producing a new variant. According to WHO, detailed genomic analysis shows the two individuals fell ill several weeks apart with the same recombinant strain, suggesting that additional undetected cases may exist.
The case in the United Kingdom was detected in December 2025 in a traveler returning from a country in the Asia Pacific region. Initial laboratory testing identified the virus as clade Ib, but whole genome sequencing later revealed that it contained genetic regions from both clade Ib and clade IIb strains. In India, a patient who developed symptoms in September 2025 was initially classified as infected with clade II MPXV. However, following updates to global genomic databases, the virus was reclassified as the same recombinant strain identified in the UK.
“Due to the small number of cases found to date, conclusions about transmissibility or clinical characterization of mpox due to recombinant strains would be premature, and it remains essential to maintain vigilance regarding this development,” WHO said.
WHO’s overall risk assessment remains unchanged: the risk is assessed as moderate for men who have sex with men with new and multiple partners and for sex workers or others with multiple casual sexual partners, and low for the general population without specific risk factors.
