Health worker contracts monkeypox

♦ A healthcare worker who treated a patient diagnosed with monkeypox has also contracted the disease.

The individual was involved in the care of a patient at Blackpool Victoria Hospital this month, before they were known to be carrying the infection, Public Health England said.

The patient – only the second case recorded in the UK – is believed to have contracted the virus after travelling to Nigeria.

Monkeypox does not spread easily between people and most who contract the infection recover within a few weeks. However, other people who were treated by the worker, as well as family and friends are being screened.