The right arm and torso of a patient with lesions due to monkeypox (CDC/AP)
(Picture: AP)Monkeypox is not a “repeat of” Covid-19, a Government minister has said.
Health experts were alarmed after 20 cases had been recorded in England by Friday, with a notable proportion affecting gay and bisexual men.
However, Chief secretary to the Treasury Simon Clarke has cautioned that the outbreak is not “near the same platform of seriousness” as Covid-19.
He told Sky News: “As with any new disease, and obviously after the Covid pandemic doubly so, we continue to monitor this very closely.
“I would say I am cautious but I am certainly not concerned about our ability to handle the situation.
“There is a vaccine which is available and works for monkeypox, and all the evidence is that it is spread by physical contact.
“That being the case, the risk of community transmission is much lower, we have a working vaccine, if people present with symptoms or have very close contact, then we are advising that they quarantine for three weeks but the threshold for that is quite high – it really does have to be close physical or sexual contact.”
Media reports have claimed that a young child is being treated in intensive care after being struck down with the illness.
But Mr Clarke said he was not aware of the reports, adding: “What I would say is we are cautious but we are certainly not in a position where I would in any way worry the public that this is some repeat of Covid, because it certainly does not appear to be anywhere near the same platform of seriousness.”
Symptoms can include fever, headache, backache, swollen lymph nodes and a rash that looks like chickenpox.
Government guidance says high-risk close contacts of patients should self isolate for three weeks.
Monkeypox is usually found in central and west Africa but cases have recently been seen in at least 14 other places including the US, Australia and Canada.
Belgium was the first to mandate 21-day quarantine after three cases there.
The virus can be passed on by close contact or via the clothes or bedding of an infected person. It does not usually spread easily.
