How to spot monkeypox: A full guide as cases rise and UKHSA issues fresh advice for those with unexplained ulcers, blisters or rashes
Another 71 cases of monkeypox were confirmed in England on Monday, and 11 more on Tuesday, prompting the UK Health Security Agency to issue fresh advice.
It urged people to be alert to new blisters, ulcers or spots on their body.
New guidance has also been released for anyone who may have come into contact with the virus - or who is caring for a patient who could have monkeypox.
What is monkeypox?
Monkeypox is related to smallpox and cases are usually found in West and Central Africa. The virus has not often spread elsewhere, which is why outbreaks reported in more than a dozen countries, including the UK, Portugal, Spain and the United States, have caused alarm among public health experts.
How many cases are there?
As of May 30, there have been 183 confirmed cases of monkeypox in England since May 7 - including one in Hertfordshire. There have been four in Scotland, two in Northern Ireland and one in Wales.
Professor Paul Hunter, of the University of East Anglia, an expert in epidemiology of emerging infectious disease, has said it is “extremely unlikely” monkeypox will become a pandemic.
What are the symptoms?
The disease, first discovered in monkeys, is usually mild but can cause severe illness in some cases.
Most monkeypox patients experience only fever, body aches, chills and fatigue, but some may develop a rash and lesions on the face and hands that can spread to other parts of the body.
The rash can look like chickenpox or syphilis, and scabs can form which then fall off.
Most people recover within a few weeks.
The incubation period of monkeypox is usually from six to 13 days, but can range from five to 21 days.
No deaths have been reported in the current outbreak beyond Africa.
How does monkeypox spread?
The most common mode of monkeypox transmission is close physical contact, touching clothing, bedding or towels used by someone with the monkeypox rash, or touching monkeypox skin blisters or scabs.
There is a smaller risk of it being spread through coughs and sneezes, and as prolonged face-to-face contact would be needed, this is not one of the main routes of transmission for the monkeypox virus.
Sexual intercourse is thought to expose people to a higher risk of contracting the disease as, although it is not known to be sexually transmitted, the close physical contact involved means exposure is more likely.
A majority of the cases seen so far have been in gay and bisexual men but anyone who has recently had a new partner or notices unusual lesions appear on their skin should seek medical advice.
What is the public health advice?
The UK Heath Security Agency urges those with monkeypox to avoid close contact with others until their lesions have healed and any scabs have dried off.
People who have had contact with someone with the disease should also be risk assessed and may be told to isolate for 21 days if necessary.
People with suspected or confirmed monkeypox who need to travel in order to seek care should make sure any lesions are covered by clothing, wear a face covering, and avoid public transport where possible.
They should also abstain from sex from the first signs of symptoms and make sure to use condoms for eight weeks after infection.
People should be alert to any new rashes or lesions, which would appear like spots, ulcers or blisters, on any part of their body.
People, particularly those who are gay, bisexual or who have sex with men, are urged to call NHS 111 or a sexual health centre immediately if they have a rash with blisters and have been in close contact with someone who has or might have monkeypox in the past three weeks.
Those with symptoms are also being asked to call 111 if they have been to West or Central Africa in the past three weeks or are a man who has sex with men.
Is there a vaccine? And what else is being done to stop it spreading?
The UK has now bought more than 20,000 doses of smallpox vaccine Imvanex which is currently being offered to identified close contacts of those diagnosed with monkeypox to reduce the risk of further symptomatic infection and severe illness.
Medical staff treating monkeypox patients are wearing PPE but where possible, say health officials, pregnant healthcare worker and those who are severely immunosuppressed should now not assess or care for those with either suspected or confirmed monkeypox.
Dr Ruth Milton, Senior Medical Advisor at UKHSA, said: "We are continuing to work closely with our colleagues in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to ensure we are aligned in our approach to reducing the risk of transmission of monkeypox in the UK.
"We are reminding people to look out for new spots, ulcers or blisters on any part of their body. If anyone suspects they might have these, particularly if they have recently had a new sexual partner, they should limit their contact with others and contact NHS 111 or their local sexual health service as soon as possible, though please phone ahead before attending in person. This will help us to limit the virus being passed on."
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