The UK’s public health agency is urging people to be alert on two key symptoms of monkeypox, amid a recent outbreak of the virus.
Two additional cases of monkeypox have been found in England this week, bringing the total number of confirmed infections to nine.
As those needing care receive treatment in infectious disease units, health bosses in the UK have issued new advice, asking everyone to stay alert to unusual rashes around the mouth and genital area.
In an update shared by the UK Health Security Agency to Twitter, London’s Public Health Director Professor Kevin Fenton said: “We’ve recently diagnosed a number of new cases of monkeypox in England, specifically in the greater London area.
“At this point, we’re asking everybody to be aware of the signs and symptoms which include rashes around the mouth, as well as around the genital area.
“We’re especially asking gay and bisexual men, among whom we’ve been seeing an increasing proportion of cases, to be on the lookout for monkeypox."
The virus was now suspected or confirmed to have spread to at least three European capitals, including London, Lisbon, and Madrid.
The UK continues to monitor the emerging virus which is believed to have originated in central and west Africa.
As things stand, London has six confirmed cases, Lisbon has five confirmed cases but a suspected 15 more and today officials in Madrid announced that they were investigating eight suspected cases.
Recent cases have emerged predominantly in gay, bisexual or men who have sex with men - though monkeypox is not a solely a sexually transmitted infection.
The two latest cases have no travel links to a country where monkeypox is endemic, meaning it could have contracted through community transmission.
The virus spreads through close contact. It can also be passed on through other close contacts with an infected person or contact with clothing or linens used by an infected person.
The two new cases do not have known connections with previously confirmed cases announced on May 7, 14 and 16.
UKHSA is working closely with the NHS and other stakeholders to urgently investigate where and how recent confirmed monkeypox cases were acquired, including how they may be linked to each other.
The virus does not usually spread easily between people and the risk to the UK population remains low.
Initial symptoms of monkeypox include fever, headache, muscle aches, backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills and exhaustion.
A rash can develop, often beginning on the face, then spreading to other parts of the body including the genitals.
The rash changes and goes through different stages, and can look like chickenpox or syphilis, before finally forming a scab, which later falls off.
Anyone with concerns that they could be infected with monkeypox is advised to contact NHS 111 or a sexual health clinic.
People should notify clinics ahead of their visit. We can assure them their call or discussion will be treated sensitively and confidentially.
Professor Fenton earlier announced that plans were in place to stock up on treatments for the tropical disease, in case the surge continued.
The incubation period for monkeypox is typically between seven to 14 days but can range from five to 21 days.
