Mpox: WHO global health emergency & UK planning ...The Standard podcast

Scientists hope to offer another choice in the form of an mRNA jab for mpox and smallpox (Steve Parsons/PA) (PA Archive)
Scientists hope to offer another choice in the form of an mRNA jab for mpox and smallpox (Steve Parsons/PA) (PA Archive)

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Sweden confirmed on Thursday discovery of Europe’s first case of a contagious new variant of mpox, called Clade 1.

The World Health Organisation has declared the virus a global public health emergency for the second time in two years, following an outbreak in Democratic Republic of the Congo that has spread to other countries.

Mpox causes painful skin lesions and can be fatal to people with weakened immune systems, however, the NHS says "symptoms usually clear up in a few weeks".

UK health chiefs say the risk in this country is low - but are making contingency plans.

To discover more on UK planning and guidance, we’re joined by Evening Standard health reporter, Daniel Keane.

In part two, hundreds of thousands of fans flock to see Taylor Swift at Wembley Stadium

By the time the curtain falls on Taylor Swift’s latest run of five shows at Wembley Stadium, nearly three-quarters of a million fans will have seen the singer over a record-breaking eight nights in total.

It follows the devastating attacks in Southport last month where three young girls were stabbed to death at a Swift-themed holiday club, and then a foiled terror plot at the singer’s Vienna concert.

The Standard podcast discusses how the London shows and how recent tragedy affected Swift, with ES arts & culture writer Vicky Jessop.