Professor Devi Sridhar has urged guidelines to prevent monkeypox in nurseries and schools after a US nursery worker was reported to have possibly exposed children to the virus.
“Monkey pox is transmitted by close skin-to-skin contact,” Professor Sridhar tweeted. “This is just basic prevention. I don’t think anyone wants their child to come home with this disease.”
Another example of why we need guidance on preventing monkey pox in nurseries and schools -> mainly transmitted by close skin-to-skin contact. (And this is just basic prevention -> I don’t think anyone wants to send their child home with this disease)
— Prof. Devi Sridhar (@devisridhar) August 6, 2022
The World Health Organization (WHO) previously declared the outbreak in more than 70 countries a global emergency.
The US has since followed suit and declared the monkeypox outbreak a public health emergency last week.
In the case reported by the University of Edinburgh’s chair of public health, a case emerged in Illinois on Friday where a staff member at a day care center tested positive for monkeypox after working with children.
READ MORE: Monkeypox declared ‘global emergency’ by WHO
Exposed youngsters are being screened by officials, and the US Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of a vaccine, which is currently only approved for adults.
In the latest update on the spread of the virus, Public Health Scotland revealed that 67 cases have been officially confirmed north of the border.
Across the UK, there were 2768 confirmed cases by 4 August with an additional 91 highly probable cases of monkeypox.
Most cases in the UK have been confirmed in Scotland, particularly London.
PHS said those in Scotland who had tested positive were being treated in accordance with nationally agreed protocols and guidance.
Speaking to the Sunday Mail, Glasgow Pride chief executive Euan McLeod said: “When people hear that this has been declared a state of emergency and not much is happening outside of London, it’s worrying for people in our communities.
“You can walk into any bar and find leaflets about Covid but nothing about monkeypox.
“As a result of a lack of information, people are turning to social media to share advice and experiences.
“I also know a lot of people who travel to London to queue for vaccines as there is no way to do that here.”
According to the PHS, 3000 doses of the smallpox vaccine have been made available in Scotland from UK stocks.
The Scottish Government said: “People who are considered to be at risk are offered the vaccine.”
