What is monkeypox and should UK residents be worried?

With the number of monkeypox cases in the UK increasing, what is the situation and is it cause for concern?

What is monkeypox?

Monkeypox can be found in central and western Africa. There have been a number of cases in the UK, with the first recorded in the year of the epidemic in Nigeria.

There are two types of monkeypox, a milder west African strain and a more severe central African strain. The recent diagnosed individuals are thought to have the west African strain.

According to the UK Health Security Agency, the early symptoms of monkeypox include a high temperature, headaches, muscle aches, swollen lylas, and exhaustion.

The rash can start on the face and spread to other parts of the body.

The majority of patients recover from monkeypox in a few weeks.

How is it spread?

Monkeypox requires close contact to spread. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, human-to-human transmission occurs through large respiratory droplets.

Respiratory droplets can't travel more than a few feet, so face-to-face contact is required.

How many new cases are there in the UK?

The first recent case in the UK was reported on 7 May, with the patient having recently traveled to Nigeria. Two more patients were reported to be receiving treatment for monkeypox in London a week later. Their infections are thought to be related to the previous case, because they lived in the same household.

There were four cases of monkeypox reported on Monday, three in London and one in the north-east of England. The four cases do not seem to be related to any of the previous ones, and all of the people involved are thought to have been in London. Four of the cases are in men who identify as gay, bisexual, or men who have sex with men.

Does this mean monkeypox is sexually transmitted?

According to Dr Michael Head, a senior research fellow in global health at the University ofSouthampton, the latest cases may be the first time that monkeypox has been transmitted through sexual contact.

Head says there is no evidence that it is a sexually transmitted virus.

Gay and bisexual men are being advised by the UKHSA to look out for unusual skin eruptions on their genitalia, as well as other areas of their body.

How concerned should we be?

The answer seems to be not very. It is important that contacts of those who have been bitten are identified, as experts suggest it is unlikely there will be a large outbreak.

The situation is rare and unusual, but the UKHSA is quickly investigating the source of the infections because of the evidence.