Monkeypox cases in UK double to 20
Vaccine stocks quadrupled
THE number of monkeypox cases in the UK has more than doubled to 20.
A further 11 cases were announced yesterday, as officials increasingly worry that the virus is spreading largely undetected.
Concerns over the outbreak have seen Health Secretary Sajid Javid quadruple the UK’s stocks of smallpox vaccine, which can provide protection against monkeypox.
The Government is considering a public health campaign to alert gay and bisexual men to the risks of monkeypox. Among the 20 people with monkeypox in the UK, at least four are confirmed as gay and bisexthe ual men, with this group believed to make up the majority of cases.
Health officials believe the rash which monkeypox causes is being mistaken for syphilis by sexual health clinics, so have written to them with advice.
They are working with charities including the Terrence Higgins Trust and the British HIV Association.
Mr Javid said: ‘Most cases are mild, and I can confirm we have procured further doses of vaccines that are effective against monkeypox.’
The Government, which had ordered 5,000 doses of inactivated smallpox vaccine earlier this year, now has 20,000 doses. These will be offered to those who come into contact with monkeypox patients, including healthcare workers.
Data from Africa suggests the smallpox vaccine is at least 85 per cent effective in preventing monkeypox. Professor Jimmy Whitworth, of London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said the UK outbreak was ‘unprecedented’.
He said: ‘There is a need to engage with the at-risk community of gay and bisexual men to ensure they know about his infection and report any symptoms to health facilities.
‘Cases need to be identified, isolated and treated, either in hospital or at home. Close contacts need to be monitored for signs of infection.’
The first case identified in the UK was in a person who had returned from Nigeria, but other cases are unrelated to travel, suggesting it is spreading within this country.
The UK Health Security Agency said monkeypox does not usually spread easily between people and the risk to the UK population remains low. Despite this, ministers are concerned because of clusters of cases elsewhere in Europe, the US, Australia and Canada.
Dr Hans Kluge, of the World Health Organisation, said Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain and Sweden have reported cases of monkeypox in recent days.
He added: ‘As we enter the summer season in the European region, with mass gatherings, festivals and parties, I am concerned that transmission could accelerate.’
Globally, 127 cases have been reported in 11 countries, according to Professor John Brownstein, of Harvard Medical School in the US.
‘Need to identify close contacts’