New monkeypox case detected in North East

ANEW case of monkeypox detected in the North East could suggest the disease is being transmitted within the UK.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has announced four new cases of the virus, which was first detected in Britain on May 7 – three in London and one ‘linked’ case in the North East.

The body says the new cases, which bring the total number of infected people in the country to seven, do not have known connections to the cases which have previously been confirmed.

Some of those infected require hospital treatment and are being cared for in specialist infectious disease units at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary, or the Royal Free Hospital or Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital, both in London. The RVI unit hit headlines in 2020 when it became the first in the UK to treat Covid-19 patients.

Monkeypox is a viral infection usually associated with travel to West Africa. It is usually a mild self-limiting illness, spread by very close contact with someone with monkeypox and most people recover within a few weeks. Although it can be dangerous if people develop secondary infections such as sepsis or encephalitis, the risk to people in the UK is said to be ‘low’.

Officials say all four men appear to have been infected with the disease in London, with investigations underway to identify links between the patients. Because they don’t appear to have links to countries where monkeypox is usually found “urgent investigations” are underway to establish where the men picked up the disease.

All four of those who’ve fallen ill identify as gay, bisexual or other men who have sex with men. Because monkeypox is spread through close contact, the UKHSA says it is advising men in these groups to be alert to any unusual rashes or lesions on any part of their body, especially their genitalia, and to contact a sexual health service if they have concerns.

UKHSA chief medical adviser Dr Susan Hopkins said: “This is rare and unusual. UKHSA is rapidly investigating the source of these infections because the evidence suggests that there may be transmission of the monkeypox virus in the community, spread by close contact.

“We are particularly urging men who are gay and bisexual to be aware of any unusual rashes or lesions and to contact a sexual health service without delay.

“We are contacting any potential close contacts of the cases to provide health information and advice.”

The symptoms of the disease to be aware of initially include fever, headache, muscle aches, backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills and exhaustion.

A rash can develop, often beginning on the face, then spreading to other parts of the body including the genitals.

The rash changes and goes through different stages, and can look like chickenpox or syphilis, before finally forming a scab, which later falls off.

Anyone with concerns that they could be infected with monkeypox is advised to make contact with sexual health clinics ahead of their visit.