Monkeypox - Should we be alarmed?

[MenInG]

Monkeypox cases in the UK have more than doubled, with 11 more announced today.

It brings the total number reported in the country to 20 - although there are concerns many cases are going undetected.

Confirming the news, Health Secretary Sajid Javid said: "This morning I updated G7 health ministers on what we know so far.

"Most cases are mild, and I can confirm we have procured further doses of vaccines that are effective against monkeypox."

Exactly what is driving the UK's largest outbreak is a mystery - normally the disease is sporadic and linked to travel in parts of Africa, where it is endemic.

But it is "likely" the latest cases have spread within the UK.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) is expected to hold an emergency meeting on the virus today, according to Reuters news agency.

The viral infection is similar to human smallpox and usually causes mild illness, with most people recovering within a few weeks and the UK Health and Security Agency says the risk to the UK population "remains low".

Dr Susan Hopkins, the UKHSA's chief medical adviser, said: "We anticipated that further cases would be detected through our active case finding with NHS services and heightened vigilance among healthcare professionals.

"We expect this increase to continue in the coming days and for more cases to be identified in the wider community. Alongside this we are receiving reports of further cases being identified in other countries globally.

"We continue to rapidly investigate the source of these infections and raise awareness among healthcare professionals. We are contacting any identified close contacts of the cases to provide health information and advice."

Its similarities mean it can be treated with the smallpox vaccine, with previous data suggesting the vaccine is at least 85% effective in preventing the virus.

Concerns over summer festivals

The WHO's regional director for Europe has said he is concerned that the spread of the virus could speed up over the summer months as people gather for parties and festivals.

"As we enter the summer season in the European region, with mass gatherings, festivals and parties, I am concerned that transmission could accelerate, as the cases currently being detected are among those engaging in sexual activity, and the symptoms are unfamiliar to many," Hans Kluge said in a statement.

Cases reported worldwide

It comes as Australia reported its first case of monkeypox in a traveller in his 30s who had recently returned from Britain.

The man's case was confirmed on Friday after he arrived in Melbourne with symptoms earlier this week.

A second, probable infection has also been reported in a man in his 40s who had recently travelled to Europe and who developed a mild illness several days after arriving in Sydney.

WHICH COUNTRIES OUTSIDE OF AFRICA HAVE REPORTED CASES OF MONKEYPOX?

Britain: 20
Italy: 2
Germany: 1
Spain: 21 confrmed, 21 suspected
Belgium: 2
France: 1
Australia: 1 confirmed, 1 'probable'
Canada: 2
Portugal: 23
Sweden: 1

Since 1970, human cases have been reported in 11 African countries, but the World Health Organisation said the "true burden of monkeypox is not known".

Nigeria reports approximately 3,000 cases a year, usually in rural areas where people have close contact with infected rats and squirrels.

In 2003, the first outbreak outside of Africa happened in the US and was linked to contact with infected pet prairie dogs, which had been housed with Gambian pouched rats and dormice imported from Ghana. This outbreak led to 70 cases in the country.

Spread by rodents

In Africa, despite its name, it is usually spread by rodents - and doesn't transmit easily between people.

But while the first case, reported on 5 May, was in someone who had recently returned from Nigeria, the others have no travel history.

A notable proportion of early cases detected have been in gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men - however, officials are saying it is not a sexually transmitted disease but that the virus is spread by prolonged skin-to-skin contact.

A public health campaign to alert these men is being considered by ministers.

How do you catch it, what are the symptoms, and how easily does it spread?

Exactly what's driving the UK's largest-ever outbreak of monkeypox is a mystery.

Normally the disease is sporadic and linked to travel to parts of Africa where it is endemic.

But it's now clear that the virus is spreading within the UK, and many cases are likely to be going undetected.

Read what we know so far here

Confusion with chicken pox

Initial symptoms 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.

It can be confused with chickenpox as it begins with raised spots.

The symptoms will usually disappear in two to four weeks, although some people will need hospital treatment.

It said anyone with concerns they could be infected is urged to contact NHS 111 or a sexual health clinic.

SKY

[IAJ]

I was in Spain some days ago and now I hear Spain has the majority of cases in Europe. Allah khair kare.

Now every virus disease will get a lot of attention.

[MenInG]

I was in Spain some days ago and now I hear Spain has the majority of cases in Europe. Allah khair kare.

Now every virus disease will get a lot of attention.

For a good reason - after what we have been through

[Varun]

What on earth is this? Is this the sequel unleashed on us by the Chinese?

[MenInG]

The UK is facing a "significant rise" in monkeypox cases over the next week, an expert has warned, with some health clinics stopping people walking in as they try to slow the spread of infections.

About 80 cases have now been confirmed across 12 countries - including 20 in the UK - with the majority of infections in Spain linked to a sauna in Madrid.

The president of the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) told Sky News that some clinic staff have received the smallpox vaccine, which can be effective against monkeypox, and talks are taking place about giving doses to "potential risk groups".

Dr Claire Dewsnap said: "Our response is really critical here.

"There is going to be more diagnoses over the next week. How many is hard to say.

"What worries me the most is there are infections across Europe, so this has already spread.

"It's already circulating in the general population. Getting on top of all those people's contacts is a massive job.

"It could be really significant numbers over the next two or three weeks."

Dr Dewsnap said she expected more monkeypox cases to be identified around the UK.

"I'm definitely expecting a significant rise over this next week," she added.

Scientists baffled by monkeypox spread

Dr Dewsnap said she was concerned about the impact on other infections as staff are diverted to deal with monkeypox, when the "public health budget has decreased significantly over the last 10 years".

"Some clinics that have had cases have had to advise people not to walk in," she added.

"They've primarily done that because if somebody has symptoms consistent with monkeypox, we don't want people sat in waiting rooms potentially infecting other people.

"They've implemented telephone triage to all of those places."

Scientists say they are baffled by the disease's recent spread in Europe and North America.

Monkeypox causes generally mild symptoms including a fever, muscle aches and pains, and a rash that blisters and then scabs over
Cases of the smallpox-related disease have previously been seen only among people with links to central and West Africa.

But in the past week, Britain, Spain, Portugal, Italy, US, Sweden and Canada all reported infections, mostly in young men who hadn't previously travelled to Africa.

The UK Health Security Agency has said a notable proportion of recent cases in Britain and Europe have been found in gay and bisexual men.

Sauna linked to majority of Spain's cases

There are about 80 confirmed cases worldwide and 50 more suspected ones, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said.

France, Germany, Belgium and Australia reported their first cases on Friday.

In Spain, 24 new cases were reported on Friday, mainly in the Madrid region where the regional government closed a sauna linked to the majority of infections.

To date, no one has died in the outbreak.

Monkeypox typically causes fever, chills, rash and lesions on the face or genitals.

The disease, which was first found in monkeys, can be transmitted from person to person through close physical contact and is caused by the monkeypox virus.

Professor David Heymann, an expert on infectious disease epidemiology at The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, said: "There are two types of the virus. There is a virus in central Africa which is very lethal, it has 10% fatality and it causes a disease that looks like smallpox.

"Fortunately, that disease has not spread outside of Africa yet, and hopefully it won't, because people are very sick and they don't travel.

"The disease that is occurring in Europe and North America is a west African virus-type-strain which is very moderate, it causes skin rash, maybe one or two lesions on the skin, and it can cause a fever and swollen lymph nodes, swollen glands and muscle aches, but it is not fatal in most cases.

"It can be fatal in very less than one per cent of people, so it is not a fatal disease."

SKY

[gani999]

What on earth is this? Is this the sequel unleashed on us by the Chinese?

It is similar to the chicken pox virus and spreads though touch. It is transmitted from animals to humans.

It may not lead to a pandemic like COVID did but can be a nuisance for travellers. It is transmitted through contact with clothing and other items, and so it airplane, train or bus seats are all potential sources of infection.

[Colorblind Genius]

1st monkeypox case in US this year reported in Massachusetts


https://abcnews.go.com/amp/Health/ma...ry?id=84817514

[cricketjoshila]

Time to take out those small pox vaccines out of the freezer.

[MenInG]

The UK is facing a "significant rise" in monkeypox cases over the next week, an expert has warned, as new infections were reported in mainland Europe and the US.

A total of 120 confirmed or suspected cases have been reported globally - including 20 in the UK - with the majority of infections in Spain linked to a sauna in Madrid.

Switzerland recorded its first confirmed case on Saturday after an infected person developed a fever and a rash and felt unwell, authorities said.

The infection followed "close physical contact abroad" and the affected person is isolating at home, they added.

SKY

[silentkiller187]

Close contacts of monkeypox cases with the highest risk of exposure should self-isolate for 21 days, latest government guidance says.

New guidance from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) recommends people who have had "unprotected direct contact or high risk environmental contact" with the disease should isolate - and avoid contact with immunosuppressed people, pregnant women, and children under 12.

Those contacts include household contact, sexual contact, or changing an infected person's bedding without wearing appropriate PPE. They should also be offered a vaccine.

Monkeypox is spreading in the UK through community transmission and new infections are now being detected on a daily basis, a senior doctor has warned.

Officials are expecting a "significant rise" in infections this week, after the total increased to 20 on Friday.

The cause of the outbreak in Britain is unknown and there is "no obvious connection" between those infected to a single event, according to Dr Susan Hopkins, from the UKHSA.

Globally, US President Joe Biden has said the outbreak is "a concern", while Israel and Switzerland recorded their first cases this weekend and Austria registering its first suspected infection on Sunday.

Following the COVID pandemic, the outbreak of an unusual disease has gripped people's attention in several countries.

Belgium has reportedly introduced a 21-day quarantine for those who contract monkeypox after four infections were recorded in the country.

WHICH COUNTRIES OUTSIDE AFRICA HAVE REPORTED MONKEYPOX CASES?
Australia – 1 confirmed, 1 suspected
Austria - 1 suspected
Belgium – 4 confirmed
Canada – 5 confirmed, 'a couple of dozen' suspected
France – 1 confirmed
Germany – 3 confirmed
Israel – 1 confirmed
Italy – 1 confirmed, 2 suspected
Netherlands – 'several' confirmed cases
Portugal – 23 confirmed
Spain – 30 confirmed and 15 suspected
Sweden – 1 confirmed
Switzerland – 1 confirmed
UK – 20 confirmed
US – 1 confirmed, 1 suspected

Figures include reports this weekend so may not tally with WHO figures, which were last updated on Saturday

The disease, which was first found in monkeys, can be transmitted from person to person through close physical contact - including sexual intercourse - and is caused by the monkeypox virus.

It causes fever, body aches, chills, and fatigue in most patients, while people with severe cases can develop a rash and lesions on the face, hands and other parts of the body.

'We don't know where this infection has come from'

Dr Hopkins, a chief medical adviser at the UKHSA, said the illness is "relatively mild" in adults, with young children more at risk, but refused to comment on reports that a patient is being treated in intensive care.

The latest number of UK infections will be revealed on Monday.

Dr Hopkins told the BBC's Sunday Morning programme: "We are detecting more cases on a daily basis.

"We know there's been a period of restrictions across Europe, and we don't know where this infection has come from and how it's come into Europe.

"There's no obvious connection in our cases in the UK to a single event."

UK cases 'predominantly gay or bisexual men'

Dr Hopkins said the risk to the general population "remains extremely low at the moment" but people "need to be alert to it".

"We're saying to people if you've got symptoms, avoid close contact with others and seek medical attention," she added.

She said early symptoms are "non-specific" and feel "like a viral-type infection".

In later stages, people develop a rash, usually to the face, hands and arms, that can also affect genital areas.

"It starts as red spots and moves to vesicles - those are blister-type lesions that are a bit like chickenpox," Dr Hopkins said.

"They scab over and once the scabs have fallen off, they're no longer infectious."

Professor Paul Hunter at the Norwich School of Medicine at the University of East Anglia told Sky News: "We have actually seen an outbreak in this country in the past, in about I think it was 2018, where a small outbreak with a travel related case who then passed the infection on to healthcare workers.

"It is an infection that has been increasing globally for a few years now, and typically the outbreaks in the West have generally been associated with animal contact.

"But this is indeed the first time that we've seen such a large outbreak across multiple countries where there has been person to person transmission outside of Africa," the professor said.

"In adults, it is a usually a pretty mild infection that gets better on its own, typically within about three weeks, although sometimes you do get left with scarring," added Professor Hunter.

"But it can be severe, particularly in children and also in people who are immunosuppressed, and probably also in pregnant women," he said.

https://news.sky.com/story/monkeypox...-says-12619330

[MenInG]

The UK now has at least 21 cases of monkeypox - with more expected to be announced later today.

Scotland has recorded its first case, with the other 20 detected in England.

[KingKhanWC]

What on earth is this? Is this the sequel unleashed on us by the Chinese?

Chinaphobia is unhealthy, this is thought to be a virus out of Africa.

From the BBC

And the most recent UK cases are in gay or bisexual men which has prompted the UK Health Security Agency to encourage men who have sex with men to be aware of any unusual rashes or lesions.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-61527835

It seems another version of smallpox which was thought to be eradicated. Very strange this has quickly spread to various parts of the world. Many cases have no links to Africa.

[Stewie]

Spreads by skin to skin contact, sexual activity has been the primary mode of transmission.

So long as you are not promiscuous and your partner doesn’t have it, the odds are you won’t catch it.

[KingKhanWC]

Lets hope the LGBT(mainly men) community will take this seriously. Along with their rainbow there needs to be message sent to help halt this spread.

The good news is this Pox cannot spread before symptoms.

The EU and others are looking at Smallpox vaccines to be given. Another scaremongering virus scam by Big Pharma it seems.

[Champ_Pal]

Spreads by skin to skin contact, sexual activity has been the primary mode of transmission.

So long as you are not promiscuous and your partner doesn’t have it, the odds are you won’t catch it.

People need to mask up down there too in their bedrooms.

[Champ_Pal]

Lets hope the LGBT(mainly men) community will take this seriously. Along with their rainbow there needs to be message sent to help halt this spread.

The good news is this Pox cannot spread before symptoms.

The EU and others are looking at Smallpox vaccines to be given. Another scaremongering virus scam by Big Pharma it seems.

Ben Shapiro the Zionist is also blaming LGBTQ community for the spread. He agrees with you on this.

[KingKhanWC]

Ben Shapiro the Zionist is also blaming LGBTQ community for the spread. He agrees with you on this.

Im not blaming them as its too early to figure this one out. Im suggesting they need to take this seriously. What people do in their private life is not my business.

Did he mention why he is blaming them?

[Champ_Pal]

Im not blaming them as its too early to figure this one out. Im suggesting they need to take this seriously. What people do in their private life is not my business.

Did he mention why he is blaming them?

He was saying it is transmitted by Homosexuals in his podcast. I know he has an agenda against LGBTQ community as he is a Jew.

[KingKhanWC]

He was saying it is transmitted by Homosexuals in his podcast. I know he has an agenda against LGBTQ community as he is a Jew.

I think its because he leans to the very right but seems a presumptuous statement due to his own prejudism.

I hope this isnt another lab created virus with a higher infection rate. Covid was 1-2% if not lower but the death rate of Monkeypox ca be upto 10% with the right variant.

[MenInG]

Another 36 monkeypox cases have been detected in the UK, taking the total to 56.

All the new infections are in England, while Scotland announced its first case earlier today.

While the outbreak is "significant and concerning", the risk to the UK population remains low.

It comes as experts on the continent warned there is a risk the rare virus could be passed from humans to pets and then wildlife, and it may become endemic in Europe.

SKY

[Varun]

Chinaphobia is unhealthy, this is thought to be a virus out of Africa.

There's no Chinophobia in suggesting/wondering whether the latest, greatest disease come from those usual suspects. And there's no need for you to rush to their defence either - your price has been paid by the Brits for you to sing "God save Prince Andrew's mum".

[Technics 1210]

Let me know when there's a global lockdown due to Monkey Pox.

Billions are dying of hunger/Malaria worldwide yet not a dicky bird, nor any action, why doesn't the US congress approve Billions for Africa? You guessed it folks, the life of a white man is worth more than an black man.

Yet 56 cases in the West result in breaking news.

There will be no 'miracle' vaccine for MP until that is, 10000s are infected in the West. Mark my words.

[Salma_T]

Let me know when there's a global lockdown due to Monkey Pox.

Billions are dying of hunger/Malaria worldwide yet not a dicky bird, nor any action, why doesn't the US congress approve Billions for Africa? You guessed it folks, the life of a white man is worth more than an black man.

Yet 56 cases in the West result in breaking news.

There will be no 'miracle' vaccine for MP until that is, 10000s are infected in the West. Mark my words.

Valid point, exactly the reason nothing was done for Ebola either! White man's life just seems more important!SMH

[James]

England has recorded 14 new cases of monkeypox, taking the UK's total to 71.

So far England has reported 70 cases, and one has been confirmed in Scotland, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said.

No cases have been reported in Wales or Northern Ireland so far.

Despite further cases being detected, the risk to the UK population remains low, the UKHSA added.

It explained that a "notable proportion" of the cases identified have been among people who identify as gay or bisexual or men who have sex with men.

However, anyone with "unusual rashes or lesions" should immediately contact NHS 111 or their local sexual health service.

SKY

[topspin]

Not sure about monkeypox but I'm definitely concerned about the behaviour I've seen by some in the UK as it is reminiscent of monkeys without a pox.

[KingKhanWC]

There's no Chinophobia in suggesting/wondering whether the latest, greatest disease come from those usual suspects. And there's no need for you to rush to their defence either - your price has been paid by the Brits for you to sing "God save Prince Andrew's mum".

There clearly is as you ran to mention China without even knowing what Monkeypox. Its more likely India has some roots as Monkeys are allowed to run free due to being worshipped for some strange reason.

Indians esp those in the LGBT community which is expanding rapidly should be careful of playing with monkeys, they are just animals not deities. As we live in a global world such nations have a responsibility. So dont worry about my singing but your nations behaviour with animals esp monkeys.

[BreadPakoda]

Lets hope the LGBT(mainly men) community will take this seriously. Along with their rainbow there needs to be message sent to help halt this spread.

The good news is this Pox cannot spread before symptoms.

The EU and others are looking at Smallpox vaccines to be given. Another scaremongering virus scam by Big Pharma it seems.

Agree that the LGBTQ community should take more responsibility. Also, such rave parties / orgies should be absolutely banned.

[KingKhanWC]

Agree that the LGBTQ community should take more responsibility. Also, such rave parties / orgies should be absolutely banned.

Unlikely as the leaders/powerful indulge in this.

First quarantine.

Belgium becomes first country to introduce mandatory monkeypox quarantine as global cases rise

https://www.cnbc.com/2022/05/23/belg...ases-rise.html

[KingKhanWC]

In March 2021, NTI partnered with the Munich Security Conference to conduct a tabletop exercise on reducing high-consequence biological threats.

The exercise examined gaps in national and international biosecurity and pandemic preparedness architectures—exploring opportunities to improve prevention and response capabilities for high-consequence biological events.

Participants included 19 senior leaders and experts from across Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Europe with decades of combined experience in public health, biotechnology industry, international security, and philanthropy.

Exercise Summary
Developed in consultation with technical and policy experts, the fictional exercise scenario portrayed a deadly, global pandemic involving an unusual strain of monkeypox virus that first emerged in the fictional nation of Brinia and spread globally over 18 months. Ultimately, the exercise scenario revealed that the initial outbreak was caused by a terrorist attack using a pathogen engineered in a laboratory with inadequate biosafety and biosecurity provisions and weak oversight. By the end of the exercise, the fictional pandemic resulted in more than three billion cases and 270 million fatalities worldwide.

https://www.stvincenttimes.com/monke...in-march-2021/

Before Covid they predicted Covid. These guys should play the lottery or give me the numbers!

[MenInG]

The number of confirmed monkeypox cases in the UK has now risen to 78, health officials have said.

Seven new cases were identified in England, taking its total to 77, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

SKY

[MenInG]

The federal government on Monday issued special instructions to all national and provincial health authorities to remain on high alert for any suspected cases of monkeypox.

According to an official of the Ministry of National Health Services, the situation is being closely monitored by the health authorities.

The official stated that information circulating on social media regarding confirmed cases of the disease in Pakistan is incorrect. “As per reports of the National Institute of Health, no case of monkeypox has yet been diagnosed in Pakistan,” he added.

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Sunday said monkeypox constitutes a "moderate risk" to overall public health at the global level after cases were reported in countries where the disease is not typically found.

"The public health risk could become high if this virus exploits the opportunity to establish itself as a human pathogen and spreads to groups at higher risk of severe diseases such as young children and immunosuppressed persons," WHO said.

As of May 26, a total of 257 confirmed cases and 120 suspected cases have been reported from 23 member states that are not endemic to the virus, the health agency said in a statement. There have been no reported fatalities so far.

Earlier on May 23, the National Institute of Health (NIH) issued a high alert to health authorities expressing concern over the disease which has taken 11 European countries and the United States by storm.

According to the NIH’s alert issued on multi-country monkeypox outbreaks in non-endemic countries to concerned health authorities and professionals at all levels, stakeholders especially the central health establishment, including monitoring points of entry, have also been asked to remain vigilant.

"The situation has urged all countries to enhance surveillance and vigilance. The Centre for Disease Control is monitoring the situation and will keep the stakeholders updated," it added.

Express Tribune

[MenInG]

A further 71 cases of monkeypox have been identified in England, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has said.

The total number of confirmed cases in the UK as a whole since 7 May now stands at 179.

[MenInG]

A further 77 cases of monkeypox have been detected in the UK, health officials have said.

It brings the total number of confirmed cases in the UK to 302, as of 5 June.

[MenInG]

Vaccines should be offered to some gay and bisexual men at higher risk of contracting monkeypox, the UK Health Security Agency has said.

It recommends offering the smallpox vaccine Imvanex, which is shown to be effective against the virus.

[MenInG]

Monkeypox cases in the UK have risen to 1,076, latest figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) show.

The figure shows a rise of 166 cases from last week's figures.

Dr Sophia Makki, incident director at UKHSA said: "The monkeypox outbreak in the UK continues to grow, with over a thousand cases now confirmed nationwide.

"We expect cases to continue to rise further in the coming days and weeks.

"If you are attending large events over the summer or having sex with new partners, be alert to any monkeypox symptoms so you can get tested rapidly and help avoid passing the infection on."

The director of UKHSA said that currently the majority of cases have been in men who are gay, bisexual or have sex with men. However, she warned anyone who has had close contact with an individual with symptoms is also at increased risk.

SKY

[sweep_shot]

Wow! Didn't expect this to spread this much.

Not another pandemic hopefully.

[silentkiller187]

London's top public-health doctor is urging anyone with monkeypox symptoms not to attend Pride events this weekend.

Prof Kevin Fenton said people needed to watch out for unusual rashes, blisters, fevers and swollen glands.

There have been more than 1,000 confirmed monkeypox cases in the UK since 6 May, the latest official figures show.

Most are in London, with men who have sex with men most affected.

Close contact
Monkeypox is in the same family of viruses as smallpox but much less severe.

The virus has not previously been described as a sexually transmitted infection but can be passed on by close contact.

Anyone can catch it - but experts say chances of infection are low.

The virus has been around for years, mostly in remote parts of Central and West Africa. The most recent outbreak is unusual.

What is monkeypox and how do you catch it?
In recent months, there have been cases in more than 25 countries outside this region, including many in Europe, with the highest levels in the UK.

It was time for clear messages, Prof Fenton told BBC News.

"If you think you may have monkeypox - blisters, fevers, swollen glands - please do not go out over the weekend," he said.

"Stay at home and contact NHS 111 or your local sexual health service for advice."

Prof Fenton expects a further rise in cases in coming weeks as it can take time for symptoms to appear.

Dan, who caught monkeypox at the start of June, wants more people to be aware of the virus.

"I never thought it would be something that I would get," he told BBC journalist Nick Raikes.

Dan said he had felt tired and nauseous before developing "blister spots", which spread across his genitals and lower body, becoming very painful.

Before having the virus, he had not realised how severe it could be.

The symptoms usually clear up within weeks - and the risk to the general population is low - but the virus can be more severe in those particularly vulnerable.

Health-protection teams are monitoring people who have come into close contact with confirmed cases and are at high risk.

They are advising anyone else who has been in close contact to isolate at home for up to 21 days.

BBC

[MenInG]

There are now 1,235 confirmed cases of monkeypox in the UK, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed, as it issued a warning ahead of Pride weekend.

The figure is up by 159 cases since 28 June, when 1,076 infections were reported in the country.