Health worker struck down in third UK monkeypox case

Virus like smallpox Experts say diagnosis ‘not unexpected’

A HEALTHCARE worker has become the third person in the UK to be struck down by monkeypox.

The unnamed hospital employee was exposed while treating an infected patient before the rare viral condition was diagnosed.

Although monkeypox does not spread easily, experts said the new case was “not wholly unexpected”.

Both of the previous patients had travelled here from Nigeria.

The West African country suffered an outbreak 12 months ago and there have since been sporadic cases.

Earlier this month, health officials said someone staying at a naval base in Cornwall was diagnosed and transferred to the Royal Free Hospital in London.

Three days later, a second patient was identified after going to Blackpool Victoria Hospital with symptoms. They were sent to Royal Liverpool University Hospital for specialist treatment. The third patient, being treated at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle, fell ill after contact in the Lancashire hospital.

Dr Nick Phin, deputy director of the National Infection Service at Public Health England, said: “This healthcare worker cared for the patient before a diagnosis of monkeypox was made.

“We have been actively monitoring contacts for 21 days after exposure to detect anyone presenting with an illness so that they can be assessed quickly.

“It is therefore not wholly unexpected that a case has been identified.

“This person has been isolated and we are taking a highly precautionary approach to ensure that all contacts are traced.”

Last year’s outbreak in Nigeria was the first in almost 40 years and resulted in six deaths after 89 people were infected. Most people who contract the disease recover within a few weeks. MONKEYPOX was discovered in monkeys in 1958 and is similar to smallpox.

The virus is fatal in around 10% of cases and symptoms include fever, headache and chills – and large blisters can later appear over the body.

It can be passed on via droplets in the air, skin contact or contaminated objects.

RARE Virus is from monkeys and is spread by contact

ALERT Victoria Hospital