“While the latest evidence suggests that the growth of the epidemic has slowed, we cannot be complacent,” said Dr Meera Chand, director of clinical and emerging infections at the UKHSA. There were 2,859 confirmed and highly probable cases of smallpox in the UK as of August 4, with almost 99 percent of the cases among men, the country’s health authority said in a statement. The UKHSA’s recent analysis showed that “monkey pox continues to be transmitted primarily through interconnected sexual networks of gay, bisexual or other men who have sex with men,” it added. British authorities in June recommended that gay and bisexual men at higher risk of exposure to monkeypox should be offered the vaccine, as the outbreak of the viral disease had accelerated, mainly in Europe. People at higher risk of coming into contact with monkeypox are offered the smallpox vaccine, Dr. Chand said. Earlier this month, the World Health Organization declared monkeypox a “public health emergency of international concern,” the highest level of alert. If you would like to share your stories and/or experiences with us, please send an email to [email protected]
