The UK is facing a “significant rise” in monkeypox cases over the last week. New infections reported in mainland Europe and the US.
London (UK) – More than 100 confirmed or suspected cases have been reported globally, with the majority of infections in Spain linked to a sauna in Madrid.
The infection followed “close physical contact abroad” and the affected person is isolating at home, they added.
Some UK health clinics are now stopping people walking in as they try to slow the spread of infections.
The president of the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) said that some clinic staff have received the smallpox vaccine, which can be effective against monkeypox. There are talks taking place about giving doses to “potential risk groups”.
Dr Claire Dewsnap said: “Our response is really critical here.
“There is going to be more diagnoses over the next week. How many is hard to say.
“What worries me the most is there are infections across Europe, so this has already spread.
“It’s already circulating in the general population. Getting on top of all those people’s contacts is a massive job.
“It could be really significant numbers over the next two or three weeks.”
Dr Dewsnap said she expected more monkeypox cases to be identified around the UK.
“I’m definitely expecting a significant rise over this next week,” she added.
Monkeypox typically causes fever, chills, rash and lesions on the face or genitals.
The disease, which was first found in monkeys, can be transmitted from person to person through close physical contact and is caused by the monkeypox virus.
According to the official statement released on its website, it says WHO and partners are working to better understand the extent and cause of an outbreak of monkeypox. The virus is endemic in some animal populations in a number of countries, leading to occasional outbreaks among local people and travelers. The recent outbreaks reported across 11 countries so far are atypical, as they are occurring in non-endemic countries.
Monkeypox spreads differently from COVID-19. WHO encourages people to stay informed from reliable sources, such as national health authorities, on the extent of the outbreak in their community (if any), symptoms and prevention.
As monkeypox spreads through close contact, the response should focus on the people affected and their close contacts. People who closely interact with someone who is infectious are at greater risk for infection: this includes health workers, household members and sexual partners.