What is monkey pox? Symptoms of the infection explained, how to catch the virus and whether it can be deadly

In the UK, four more people have been diagnosed with monkey pox, with three of the new cases in London and one in the North East of England.

It brings the total number of people infected in the current outbreak to seven, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed.

On Saturday, two people were diagnosed with monkey pox in London, a week after another patient was found to have contracted the rare viral infection.

What is monkey pox?

Monkeypox is a viral infection commonly associated with travel to West Africa.

It is usually a mild disease spread through very close contact with someone who has monkey pox, although it does not pass easily between people.

While most people who get monkey pox recover within a few weeks, it can cause serious illness in some people.

The NHS has said it can be caught by infected wildlife in parts of West and Central Africa, as well as touching clothing, bedding or towels used by someone with monkey pox rash, coughing or sneezing and touching blisters or scabs on the skin from monkeypox.

The UKHSA has said there is a low risk of transmission to the general UK population.

What do we know about the cases so far?

The four new cases announced by the UKHSA last night have no known links to the previous three cases reported this month, raising concerns that the virus has been transmitted in the community.

All four of these cases identify themselves as gay, bisexual or other men who have sex with men and all appear to be infected in London.

Common contacts have been identified for two of the latest four cases, with no link to travel to a country where monkeypox is endemic, as the UKHSA launched an “urgent investigation” into where and how they became infected.

The patients are treated at the Royal Free Hospital in London, Guy’s and St Thomas’ and Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle upon Tyne.

Two individuals diagnosed in London on 14 May live together in the same household, with one being cared for by the expert infectious disease department at St Mary’s Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London and the other in self-isolation without hospital treatment.

Another patient with recent travel history from Nigeria, where they are believed to have contracted the infection, was being treated at the expert infectious disease department of the Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, the UKHSA reported on May 7.

The UKHSA is working with NHS partners to determine if there have been more cases in recent weeks, as well as international partners to understand if similar increases have been seen in other countries.

What are the symptoms?

According to the NHS, it can take five to 21 days for monkeypox symptoms to appear.”

The first symptoms of monkey pox include a high temperature, headache, muscle aches, back pain, swollen glands, chills (shivers), and exhaustion.

A rash normally appears one to five days after the first symptoms, often starting on the face before spreading to other parts of the body.

The rash is sometimes confused with chickenpox and starts out as raised patches, before turning into small blisters filled with fluid, which eventually form crusts before falling off.

Symptoms usually disappear within two to four weeks, and the illness is usually mild but can sometimes be more severe and has been reported to have caused death in West Africa.

Who is at risk?

The UKHSA has emphasized that the virus does not spread easily between people and that the risk to the UK population is low.

But with the most recent cases occurring in gay, bisexual and other MSM communities, and as the virus spreads through close contact, the UKHSA has advised these groups to be on the lookout for any unusual rashes or lesions on any part of their bodies, especially their genitals. , and to contact a sexual health service if they are concerned.

Anyone concerned that they may be infected with monkey pox is advised to check with clinics prior to their visit.

The NHS advises that anyone who has symptoms of monkeypox and who has recently returned from West or Central Africa should request an urgent GP appointment or call 111.

dr. Susan Hopkins, Chief Medical Adviser, UKHSA, said: “This is rare and unusual. UKHSA is rapidly investigating the source of these infections as evidence suggests there may be community transmission of monkeypox virus spread through close contact.

“We especially urge men who are gay and bisexual to be aware of any unusual skin rashes or lesions and to contact a sexual health service immediately.”

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