Ads
Monkeypox cases in the UK as of 5 June stand at 302, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
There are currently 287 confirmed cases in England, 10 in Scotland, two in Northern Ireland and three in Wales.
Anyone can get monkeypox, especially if you have close contact, including sexual contact, with someone with symptoms.
Medical experts are advising people with the virus and those in close contact with them to isolate themselves for a period of time to help contain the spread.
What are the symptoms of monkeypox?
It usually takes between five and 21 days for the first symptoms of monkeypox to appear, according to the NHS.
Symptoms include:
- a high temperature
- headache
- Muscle cramp
- back pain
- swollen glands
- tremors (chills)
- exhaustion
A rash usually appears between one and five days following the first symptoms. It starts on the face and spreads to other parts of the body.
Sometimes the rash is mistaken for chickenpox because it starts with raised patches that then develop into small, fluid-filled blisters. These bubbles then form crusts that later fall off.
The symptoms usually subside within a few weeks.
Is there a treatment for this?
For most people, monkeypox is usually mild and they recover within a few weeks without requiring any treatment.
However, if you are diagnosed with monkeypox, you should isolate yourself as close contact can spread it.
On rare occasions when the symptoms are severe or you are at an increased risk of becoming very ill (e.g. if you have a weakened immune system) you may need specialist treatment.
You may be offered a vaccination to reduce your risk of developing a serious illness.
What is the medical advice?
Anyone who has had “unprotected direct contact or high-risk environmental contact” with a case of monkeypox must isolate for three weeks, under guidance from the UKHSA.
Individuals are considered high-risk contacts if they have had household contact, sexual contact, or touched infected bedding without proper protective equipment.
They must not travel or have contact with high-risk individuals such as pregnant women, children under the age of 12 and those with immunosuppression. You must also provide contact tracing information.
The UKHSA says “people who are gay or bisexual and men who have sex with men continue to be disproportionately affected” and advises contacting a sexual health clinic if you have a blistered rash if You either:
- have been in close contact, including sexual contact, with someone who has had, or may have, monkeypox in the past three weeks
- to West or Central Africa in the last three weeks
dr Ruth Milton, senior medical adviser at UKHSA, said the risk to the general public was “still low” but added “it is important that we work to limit transmission of the virus”.
“We are reminding people to be aware of new spots, ulcers or blisters on any part of their body,” she says. “If anyone suspects they may have these, particularly if they have recently had a new sexual partner, they should limit their contact with others and contact NHS 111 or their local sexual health service as soon as possible. However, please call ahead before attending in person.”
Ads