Monkeypox case sparks health alert

A RARE case of monkeypox has been recorded in England for the first time in more than three years, health bosses have revealed.

The unidentified patient recently travelled from Nigeria, which is where they are believed to have contracted the infection, before heading to the UK.

They are now receiving care at the expert infectious disease unit at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital in London.

The UK Health Security Agency is working to contact people who might have been in close contact.

Dr Colin Brown, director of clinical and emerging infections at the agency, said: ‘It is important to emphasise that monkeypox does not spread easily between people and the overall risk to the general public is very low.’

Initial symptoms include fever, headache, aching muscles, backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills and exhaustion. A rash can also develop, usually starting on the face before spreading to other parts of the body. It eventually forms a scab which falls off.

Public Health England said most patients recovered within a few weeks, but it can cause severe illness in some people.