A microscopic image shows monkeypox virus particles
(Picture: VIA REUTERS)There have been 11 more cases of monkeypox identified in the UK, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed.
Most of the cases are being described as mild.
The new monkeypox cases are additional to the nine previously identified in the UK.
Health Secretary Sajid Javid said: “UKHSA have confirmed 11 new cases of Monkeypox in the UK. This morning I updated G7 health ministers on what we know so far.
“Most cases are mild, and I can confirm we have procured further doses of vaccines that are effective against monkeypox.”
Monkeypox is a rare disease that is caused by infection with monkeypox virus, similar to smallpox and usually found in central and West Africa.
It does not spread easily between humans and most people recover within a few weeks.
The initial case involved a person who had returned from travel to Nigeria.
The UK government has purchased supplies of smallpox vaccine to protect people from monkeypox.
Although there isn’t a specific vaccine for monkeypox, a smallpox jab offers good protection against virus given their similarities.
A spokeswoman from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said in a statement: “Some individuals with higher level of exposures are being offered this smallpox vaccine. We have proactively procured further doses of these vaccines.”
The first case of monkeypox was discovered in 1958 during an outbreak of pox-like disease in monkeys.
Its first human case was recorded in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of Congo and since then the infection has been reported in a number of central and western African countries.
The illness begins with fever, headache, muscle aches, backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills and exhaustion.
London health experts are keen to reassure the public that it is not going to be the next epidemic facing the country.
