Scientists have been given £2 million to help tackle the global monkeypox outbreak with the creation of a new consortium. A team of 25 researchers from 12 institutions will study the virus, look into the effectiveness of the smallpox vaccine – which is being used to protect against monkeypox, and develop tests to identify and manage the disease.
Professor Bryan Charleston, co-lead from The Pirbright Institute, which is a member of the consortium, said: “The implications of the current monkeypox outbreak are huge. As well as tackling the current outbreak, we also need to be fully prepared for the next outbreak, because worldwide there’s a huge reservoir of infection.
“One of the key ways we can do this is to develop rapid tests, which are very important to help clinicians on the front line to manage the disease.”
