As the coronavirus restrictions wind down in Scotland and across the UK, another virus has emerged - monkeypox.
The alarm was first sounded at the beginning of May after a case of the viral infection was identified in somebody who had recently travelled to Nigeria.
On Tuesday, Nicola Sturgeon’s Covid advisor issued a warning about cases of monkeypox, taking to Twitter to voice her opinion.
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Professor Devi Sridhar, who is also the Chair of Global Public Health at Edinburgh University, said that it was “worrying” that these cases appear not to be originating from the same source.
On Saturday, Public Health Scotland confirmed they are helping to trace the contacts of a patient identified in England and the handful of others who have been diagnosed are currently in quarantine.
What is Monkeypox and how did it get into the country?
Monkeypox was first discovered in 1958 and the first human case was reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo 12 years later.
Since then, it has been reported in a number of central and west African countries, mostly the DRC and Nigeria.
In 2003, there were recorded cases in the United States following the importation of rodents from Africa and cases were reported in both humans and pet prairie dogs. All the human infections followed contact with an infected pet and all the patients recovered.
It is similar to Smallpox and causes a distinctive scab like rash.
When did Monkeypox first appear in the UK?
There are currently seven confirmed cases of Monkeypox in Britain. The first case was recorded on May 7 and was from a person who had recently travelled to Nigeria, where they are believed to have caught the infection.
A week later, a further two patients were reported to be receiving treatment for the infection in London. They both lived in the same household but are thought to be unconnected to the previous case.
On Monday, May 16, another four cases were reported. Three in London and another in North-East England. These four cases to not appear to be linked to any other previous ones.
What is the situation in Scotland?
And on Saturday, Public Health Scotland announced that they are helping trace the contacts of a patient identified in England.
The link to Scotland began after three people, currently in quarantine after being in close contact with someone with Monkeypox, flew from England to Glasgow not knowing their colleague was infected.
