Monkeypox Virus In The U.K. Has Risen To 9 After Two More Cases Are Reported
Nine people now have monkeypox after two more individuals get infected
Two more people in the U.K. have been identified to have monkeypox, bringing the country’s total up to 9 people.
The two new people reportedly live in South East of England, which is where most of the cases have been found.
It’s been said that the disease has spread within the community, instead of travel.
According to the World Health Organisation, Monkeypox is a viral zoonotic disease that is usually found in Central and West African rainforests. It can sometimes be transported to other regions.
Most people diagnosed with monkeypox in England are reportedly based in London. According to the capital’s health director, plans have been put in place to have enough treatments in case of further infections.
Professor Kevin Fenton said that their method is to ‘vaccinate the highest priority people’, which includes families of those who have been infected.
He added: “We’re watching closely to see how this spreads over the next week or two and then we’ll get a better sense of how to project and plan for the month ahead.”
Chief medical adviser at UKHSA, Dr Susan Hopkins, said: “These latest cases, together with reports of cases in countries across Europe, confirm our initial concerns that there could be spread of monkeypox within our communities.
“UKHSA has quickly identified cases so far and we continue to rapidly investigate the source of these infections and raise awareness among healthcare professionals.”
Symptoms of the disease can be headaches, backaches, swollen lymph nodes, fever, chills and weakness. A rash can also begin to develop on one’s face and then spread to other regions of the body.
Although the disease is not usually a sexually-transmitted infection, it can also be transmitted by direct contact in sex.
Professor of international public health at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Jimmy Whitworth, said: “This outbreak of monkeypox is unprecedented in the UK and has provoked urgent public health action.”
