Second ever case of monkeypox in UK

THE second ever case of monkeypox has been recorded in the UK, heath bosses have confirmed.

The patient, believed to have contracted the infection while travelling in Nigeria, is the second known case to be recorded in the UK just days after the first one was announced on Friday.

The second patient attended Blackpool Victoria Hospital and, following a positive test result, was transferred to Royal Liverpool University Hospital, an expert respiratory infectious disease centre, Public Health England (PHE) announced last night.

The body said it was now working hard to contact individuals who may have come into contact with the individual to provide health advice.

Monkeypox is a rare viral infection, similar to smallpox but not as deadly. The initial symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills and exhaustion. A painful rash with open sores can develop.

Nigeria is experiencing a particularly virulent outbreak with 89 people infected and six deaths since 2017. Scientists are still unsure if it is transmitted by monkeys or via rodents,

It is usually mild and selflimiting with most people recovering within a few weeks, but severe illness and death can occur. It does not spread easily between humans but can be transmitted via close contact.

In Friday’s case, it is believed a Nigerian naval officer travelled to the UK on a commercial fight after contracting the disease.

He stayed at a Royal Navy base in Cornwall before being confirmed to have the disease on Friday. He is in the infectious disease unit at the Royal Free Hospital in London and is said to be in a stable condition.