UK – Seven confirmed cases of monkeypox were diagnosed between May 6 and May 15 in the UK. How these people acquired the infection is under investigation.
Since the 7 from and the announcement by theUK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) of a first case of monkeypox in a patient who had recently traveled to Nigeria before traveling to the UK, and two cases confirmed on May 14, 4 additional cases of monkeypox, three in London and one case in the north east england, were reported by the British agency on May 16.
Patients requiring medical care are treated in specialized infectious disease units.
The agency states that individuals are infected with the West African clade of the viruswhich is benign compared to the Central African clade.
Contact persons are contacted to inform them and ensure that they do not show symptoms.
Monkey pox is a zoonotic viral disease commonly associated with travel to West Africa with a clinical picture resembling that of smallpox. The first symptoms of the disease are fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, swollen lymph nodes, chills and extreme fatigue. A rash may develop, often starting on the face and then spreading to other parts of the body. The rash goes through different stages before forming a scab.
It is usually a mild, self-limiting illness and most people recover within a few weeks. However, serious illness can occur in some people.
Possible sexual transmission?
While the investigation is underway to understand the origin of the cases and the mode of transmission of the virus, the agency specifies that the 4 new cases have no known link with the cases announced on May 14 and May 7.
Investigations are looking for links between the last 4 cases, all of which appear to have been infected in London. Common contacts have been identified for 2 of the last 4 cases.
These 4 most recent cases concern people of homosexual, bisexual or MSM orientations (men who have sex with other men).
“We particularly urge gay and bisexual men to be aware of any unusual rashes or lesions and to contact a sexual health service without delay. Physicians should be alert to people with rashes without a clear alternative diagnosis and should contact specialist services for advice,” commented the Dr Susan HopkinsChief Medical Adviser, UKHSA.
We particularly urge gay and bisexual men to be aware of any unusual rashes or lesions.
“Due to the recent increase in cases and uncertainties as to where some of these people acquired their infection, we are working closely with the NHS to determine if there may have been more cases over the past weeks, as well as with international partners to understand if similar cases have taken place in other countries,” concludes the UKHSA.
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