Four new cases of monkeypox have been identified in the UK, health chiefs have confirmed.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said that three of the infections were found in London, with a further one identified in the north east of England.
All of the new cases are not linked to three other infections confirmed in the UK earlier this month.
Officials are now working to establish a link between the latest four cases, who all appear to have been infected in London.
All of the people involved in the cases identifies as gay, bisexual or other men who have sex with men (MSM).
There is no link to travel where monkeypox is endemic, and exactly where and how they contracted their infections remains under urgent investigation - including whether they have further links to each other.
Monkeypox is a viral infection usually associated with travel to West Africa. It has been described by the UKHSA as being a ‘mild self-limiting illness’ spread by very close contact with someone with monkeypox.
Most people generally recovery within a few weeks.
Health chiefs say that the virus dose not spread easily between people and the risk to the UK population is low.
People in gay, bisexual and other MSM communities are being urged to be alert to any unusual rashes or lesions on any part of their body, especially in their genitalia, and to contact a sexual health service if they have concerns.
Dr Susan Hopkins, Chief Medical Adviser at the UKHSA, said: “This is rare and unusual. UKHSA is rapidly investigating the source of these infections because the evidence suggests that there may be transmission of the monkeypox virus in the community, spread by close contact.
“We are particularly urging men who are gay and bisexual to be aware of any unusual rashes or lesions and to contact a sexual health service without delay.
“We are contacting any potential close contacts of the cases to provide health information and advice.”
Last week, we reported that a ‘small number of individuals’ are being contact traced in connection to the monkeypox outbreak.
Public Health Scotland added: “This is a standard and precautionary exercise and the risk to the general public remains very low.”
Monkeypox symptoms
The UKHSA have said that the symptoms of Monkeypox are generally mild, but can lead to severe illness in some individuals.
Symptoms include:
- fever
- headache
- muscle aches
- backache
- swollen lymph nodes
- chills
- exhaustion
- rash
The rash can later develop and often begins on the face before spreading through other parts of the body.
The rash changes and goes through different stages before finally forming a scab, which later falls off.
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