As of Thursday 4 August, there are 2,768 confirmed cases across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The UK Health Safety Agency (UKHSA) says the risk to the public remains low but is asking people to be alert for any new rashes or lesions, which could appear as spots, ulcers or blisters, on any part of their body. The UKHSA said a “significant proportion” of the cases identified were among gay or bisexual men who have sex with men. Dr Susan Hopkins, chief medical adviser, said: “We continue to detect further cases of monkeypox in England early through our extensive tracing and contact tracing networks, our vigilant NHS services and thanks to people coming forward with symptoms. “If anyone suspects they may have a rash or lesions on any part of their body, particularly if they have recently had a new sexual partner, they should limit contact with others and contact NHS 111 or their local sexual health service as soon as possible possible. though call before attending in person.” At present, we know very little about the exact locations of those infected with monkeypox because the UKHSA stopped giving more precise geographical information as case numbers increased to avoid causing unnecessary panic. That said, his initial reports gave some more concrete clues about where the infections are. We know that, of the first 302 cases in Britain, 287 were in England, 10 in Scotland, three in Wales and two in Northern Ireland. On May 7, the day health officials first confirmed that a person had been diagnosed with monkeypox in England, it was not said exactly where the patient was, but they were reported to have been seen in a specialist infectious disease unit at Guy’s and St. Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust in London. Seven days later, the UKHSA identified two additional cases of monkeypox in London. The couple lived together in the same household and were said to be unrelated to the previous confirmed case. The stages of monkeypox, according to the UK Health Safety Agency (UKHSA/PA) One of the cases received care at the specialist infectious disease unit at St Mary’s Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, also in London. The other case self-isolated as no hospital treatment was required. A further four cases of monkeypox were identified by the UKHSA on 16 May – three in London and a linked case in the north-east of England. It was at this point that the UKHSA announced it had launched an investigation to establish the links between the latest four cases, all of which appeared to have been infected in London. All four of these cases self-identified as gay, bisexual, or other men who have sex with men (MSM). By May 18, another case was identified in London and one in southeast England, bringing the total number of monkeypox cases confirmed in England since May 6 to nine. Monkey pox causes damage to the body (CDC/AP) From 20 May, as daily increases in cases doubled, the UKHSA stopped publishing the exact locations of cases. However, he urged anyone with “unusual rashes or lesions on any part of their body” to contact NHS 111 or their local sexual health service immediately. Since a significant proportion of the cases identified to date have been among gay, bisexual and men who have sex with men, these groups are particularly urged to be aware of the symptoms. Health protection teams are also in the process of contacting people who are considered high-risk contacts of confirmed cases and are advising those who have been assessed and remain well to self-isolate at home for up to 21 days. UKHSA has also bought supplies of a safe smallpox vaccine (called Imvanex, supplied by Bavarian Nordic) and this is being offered to identified close contacts of someone diagnosed with monkeypox to reduce the risk of symptomatic infection and serious illness.
