Monkeypox Alert: UK Cases Rise as Virus Spreads in Cities
20 UK Cases Confirmed – Community Spread Underway
Dr Susan Hopkins from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) revealed 20 confirmed monkeypox cases in the UK so far, with updated figures due on Monday. Speaking on BBC One’s Sunday Morning, she warned the rare virus is “absolutely” spreading through community transmission. That means infected people have no recent overseas travel or contact with known cases.
Outbreak Hits Several Countries
Monkeypox cases were once linked only to central and West Africa. Now, infections have been reported across the UK, Spain, Portugal, Italy, the US, Sweden, Canada, and Israel. The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified around 80 confirmed cases worldwide, with 50 more suspected. Health Secretary Sajid Javid confirmed the UK government is stockpiling vaccines effective against monkeypox.
“The government has some stocks of the smallpox vaccine, which can be effective against monkeypox as the viruses are quite similar,” said Javid.
Vaccines Rolled Out to High-Risk Groups Only
Dr Hopkins explained there is no dedicated monkeypox vaccine yet. Instead, a third-generation smallpox vaccine, safe for individuals who have been in contact with cases, is being used. It’s only offered to those at high risk, not the general public.
“For contacts, [the vaccine] reduces your risk of developing disease, so that’s how we’re focusing our vaccination efforts at this point,” said Dr Hopkins.
Virus Mainly Spread in Urban Gay and Bisexual Communities
Community transmission has been “largely centred in urban areas,” Hopkins added. The majority of cases are in men who self-identify as gay, bisexual, or other men who have sex with men.
Experts say monkeypox isn’t easily spread between humans. It requires close, skin-to-skin contact with an infected individual’s rash. Dr Hopkins urges anyone with frequent new sex partners or close contacts to seek medical advice if they develop a rash.
US President Joe Biden Voices Concern
Across the pond, US President Joe Biden admitted the monkeypox cases popping up in Europe and America are worrying.
“It is a concern in that if it were to spread it would be consequential,” Biden said in his first public comments on the outbreak.
