Cases of monkeypox in the UK continue to rise, with infections now in quadruple figures.
As of Thursday, August 4, there are 2,768 confirmed cases in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The UK Health Safety Agency (UKHSA) says the risk to the public remains low, but is asking people to be alert for new rashes or lesions, appearing as spots, sores or blisters, at any part of his body
UKHSA said a “notable proportion” of the cases identified have been among gay or bisexual men who have sex with men.
Dr Susan Hopkins, chief medical adviser, said: “We continue to rapidly identify more cases of monkeypox in England through our extensive surveillance and contact tracing networks, our NHS vigilant services and thanks to people who come forward symptoms
“If anyone suspects they may have rashes or lesions anywhere on their body, especially if they have recently had a new sexual partner, they should limit their contact with other people and contact NHS 111 or their local health service sexual as soon as possible. but please call ahead before attending in person.”
We currently know very little about the exact locations of those currently infected with monkeypox because the UKHSA stopped giving more precise geographical information as the number of cases increased to avoid unnecessary panic.
That said, their initial reports gave some more specific clues about the whereabouts of the infections.
We know that of the first 302 cases in Great Britain, 287 were in England, 10 in Scotland, three in Wales and two in Northern Ireland.
On May 7, the day health officials first confirmed that an individual had been diagnosed with monkeypox in England, there was no mention of exactly where the patient was, but it was reported that they were observed in a specialist infectious disease unit at Guy’s and St. Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust in London.
Seven days later, the UKHSA identified two additional cases of monkeypox in London. The pair lived together in the same household and were said to be unrelated to the previous confirmed case.
The stages of Monkeypox, according to the UK Health Safety Agency
(UKHSA/PA)
One of the cases received care at the specialist infectious disease unit at St Mary’s Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, also in London. The other case has self-isolated as it has not required hospital treatment.
The UKHSA identified four more cases of monkeypox on 16 May: three in London and one related case in North East England.
It was at this time that the UKHSA announced that it was launching an investigation to establish links between the latest four cases, which appeared to be infected in London. All four of these cases identify as gay, bisexual or other men who have sex with men (MSM).
On 18 May, another case was identified in London and one in south-east England, bringing the total number of monkeypox cases confirmed in England since 6 May to nine.
Monkey pox causes lesions on the body
(CDC/AP)
From 20 May, as daily case increases reached double figures, the UKHSA stopped publishing the exact locations of cases.
However, it has urged anyone with “unusual rashes or lesions anywhere on their body” to contact NHS 111 or their local sexual health service immediately.
Since a notable proportion of the cases identified so far have occurred among gay, bisexual and men who have sex with men, these groups in particular are urged to be aware of the symptoms.
Health protection teams are also in the process of contacting people considered to be high-risk contacts of confirmed cases and are advising those who have been assessed for risk and are doing well to self-isolate at home up to 21 days.
The UKHSA has also bought supplies of a safe smallpox vaccine (called Imvanex, supplied by Bavarian Nordic) and is offering it to identified close contacts of someone diagnosed with smallpox to reduce the risk of symptomatic infection and serious illness.