The number of confirmed cases of monkeypox in England has more than doubled to 56. The figure, released by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) on Monday, increased from the previously confirmed 20 cases.
Scotland confirmed its first case on Monday, and Northern Ireland’s Public Health Agency said there are currently no confirmed cases of the virus in their region. Health officials said that while the current outbreak is “significant and concerning”, the risk to the UK population remains low.
The Government has stocks of the smallpox vaccine, which is being offered to very close contacts of those who have been affected Those at the highest risk of contracting the disease are being asked to self-isolate at home for 21 days, with others warned to be on the lookout for symptoms.
