Monkeypox could be spreading through unsafe sex, it's been reported. The condition is being investigated by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) working with the NHS and the public health agencies of the four nations to investigate the outbreak in the past few weeks.
Up to June 8, 2022, there were 336 laboratory confirmed cases of monkeypox in the UK. A high proportion of cases, according to the UKHSA, are London residents, and the majority - 99% - are male.
The epidemiology update said : "Cases of monkeypox infection were confirmed in England from 6 May 2022. The outbreak has mainly been affecting people without documented history of travel to endemic countries.
"Up to 8 June 2022 there were 336 laboratory confirmed cases in the UK. Of the confirmed cases 11 were in Scotland, 2 in Northern Ireland, 3 in Wales and 320 were in England."
In more in-depth questionnaires filled out by 152 people from 26 May 2022, and used retrospectively, they said, "151 of the 152 men interviewed identified as gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM), or reported same sex contact, and the remaining individual declined to disclose this information."
Monkeypox has not been identified as sexually transmitted. However the spread is reported to be through close skin-to-skin contact.
The report went on: "Findings show that monkeypox is being transmitted in geographically diffuse sexual networks. Nearly all (98%) of interviewed cases reported sex with other men during the incubation period (5 to 21 days).
"The majority (60%, 27 out of 45) were diagnosed with an STI in the previous year, 44% (20 out of 45) reported more than 10 sexual partners in the previous 3 months, and 44% (20 out of 45) reported group sex during the incubation period. Sexual networks involved in this outbreak are interconnected both within and outside the UK, as 30% (13 out of 45) of cases reported sexual activity in cities other than their place of residence, 20% (9 out of 45) reported sexual activity abroad, and 24% (11 out of 45) reported sexual activity with men who are not UK residents during the incubation period."
It's previously been noted that a high incidence of gay and bisexual men may have contracted monkeypox as they are historically more likely to test for STIs. The reproduction number, R, remains highly uncertain, says the UKHSA.
