The patient developed flu-like symptoms on October 21 and a rash three days later.

They are being treated at the high-impact infectious disease unit at the Royal Free Hospital in London.

In Africa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Burundi and Rwanda have all reported cases of Clade 1b mpox.

Close contacts of the patient, which include housemates, are tracked. This is believed to be less than 10 people.

“This is the first time we have detected this clade of mpox in the UK, although other cases have been confirmed overseas,” said Professor Susan Hopkins, Chief Medical Adviser at the UKHSA.

She said: “The risk to the UK population remains low and we are working quickly to trace close contacts and reduce the risk of any potential spread.”