A TOP scientist has warned that nurseries and primary schools in Scotland must be better prepared to deal with monkeypox.
This comes as the total number of cases in Scotland rises to almost 70.
Chair of public health at the University of Edinburgh Professor Devi Sridhar said that the case of a day-care worker in the United States who has potentially exposed children to the virus was another example of why education staff have to be aware of how to prevent the disease from spreading.
Sridhar posted on social media: “Monkeypox is spread by close skin-to-skin contact.
“This is just basic prevention. I don’t think anyone wants their child coming home with this disease.”
Another example of why we need Monkeypox prevention guidance at nurseries & schools -> it’s mainly spread by close skin-to-skin contact. (And this is just basic prevention -> I don’t think anyone wants their child coming home with this disease) https://t.co/01HJCYBITp
— Prof. Devi Sridhar (@devisridhar) August 6, 2022
On Thursday, the US declared a public health emergency over the virus whilst in Scotland, LGBT+ campaign groups said men were going to London for vaccines because of a lack of public health guidance in Scotland.
Public Health Scotland (PHS) revealed on Friday that there have been 67 laboratory-confirmed cases of the virus since May 23.
Last month, the World Health Organisation declared it a global emergency.
In the UK as of August 4, there were 2768 confirmed cases and 91 highly probably cases of monkeypox in the UK with most in England, particularly London.
PHS said those in Scotland who had been diagnosed as positive are receiving care in line with nationally agreed protocols and guidance.
Speaking to the Sunday Mail, executive director of Glasgow Pride Euan McLeod said: “When people are hearing that this has been declared an emergency, and not much is happening outside of London, it is worrying for people in our communities.
“You can walk into any bar and find leaflets about Covid but nothing about monkeypox.
“As a result of the lack of information, people are turning to social media to share advice and their experiences.
“I also know of several people who are travelling to London to queue up for vaccines, as there is no capacity to do that here.”
According to PHS, 3000 doses of the smallpox vaccine, which is considered to be 85% effective in defending the body against monkeypox, have been allocated to Scotland from UK stockpiles.
The Scottish Government said: “People who are considered to be at risk are being offered the vaccine.”
