Health chiefs have announced there are now seven confirmed cases of monkeypox in the UK. An additional four cases were reported yesterday - three in London and one in the North East.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said investigations were underway to establish links between the new cases - who all appear to have been infected in London and all self-identify as gay or bisexual. A UKHSA spokesperson said: “As the virus spreads through close contact, we are advising these groups to be alert to any unusual rashes or lesions on any part of their body, especially their genitalia, and to contact a sexual health service if they have concerns.”
Currently, common contacts have been identified for two of the four latest cases. The new cases do not have known connections with the two previous cases announced on 14 May or the individual case reported on 7 May.
Read more: First monkeypox patient in the North East sent to the RVI
Monkeypox key facts
According to the World Health Organisation, monkeypox is caused by the monkeypox virus - a member of the same family of viruses as smallpox - although it is less severe. Monkeypox is a viral zoonosis - which means it is a virus that is transmitted to humans from animals.
It occurs primarily in the tropical rainforest areas of Central and West Africa - and is occasionally exported to other regions. It is transmitted to people from wild animals such as rodents and primates - though human-to-human transmission is also possible.
The virus is transmitted from one person to another by contact with lesions, body fluids, respiratory droplets and contaminated materials such as bedding. However, the UKHSA says there is a very low risk of transmission to the general population.
Monkeypox symptoms
Initial symptoms of monkeypox include fever, headache, muscle aches, backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills and exhaustion. A rash can develop, often beginning on the face, then spreading to other parts of the body including the genitals.
The rash changes and goes through different stages, and can look like chickenpox or syphilis, before finally forming a scab, which later falls off. The clinical presentation of monkeypox resembles that of smallpox, a related orthopoxvirus infection which was declared eradicated worldwide in 1980.
Is there a cure for monkeypox?
Most cases of the virus are mild and clear up on their own within a few weeks. It can sometimes be more severe, however, and has been reported to have caused deaths - mostly in younger age groups.
There is no treatment for monkeypox, but outbreaks can be controlled by infection prevention. Vaccination against smallpox has been proven to be 85% effective in preventing monkeypox, and sometimes is still used.
The UKHSA says anyone with concerns that they could be infected with monkeypox should make contact with clinics ahead of their visit. Calls or discussions will be treated sensitively and confidentially, health bosses added.
Dr Susan Hopkins, Chief Medical Adviser of the UKHSA, said: “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.”
