Britain’s monkeypox cases are linked to gay bars, saunas and dating apps, health chiefs revealed as the cumulative number of cases in the UK nears 200.
UKHSA reported that more than 60% domestic infection cases were among gay and bisexual males, while more than 86% of them are based near London. Two cases were reported by women.
Most of the country’s infections — 87 per cent — were among people aged 20 to 49. The 111 infections are believed to have been caused by men having sex.
The majority of UK victims contracted the disease in the UK, rather than overseas. This is important because the previous tropical disease was only known to be a problem for a few people who had traveled to Africa.
Officials claimed that contact-tracing teams linked the outbreak to “gay bars and saunas” and the widespread use of dating app in the UK. MailOnline revealed last week the world’s biggest gay dating app Grindr had alerted to users of monkeypox symptoms.
The UKHSA has confirmed six more infections today, making the total number of cases in the country since May 6, when the epidemic began. Five infections were found in England and one in Scotland.
There have been 617 cases confirmed of monkeypox worldwide, and 129 additional suspected cases since May’s first case. Next to the UK are Spain (133), Portugal (101) and Germany (38) with the highest numbers of cases.
According to the World Health Organization, people should limit the number of partners they have with their sex in an effort to prevent monkeypox spreading. After being connected to many monkeypox cases, the investigation into Gran Canarian Pride Festival, which was held in Gran Canaria between May 5th and 15, is underway.
MailOnline has revealed that MailOnline sent a message to all its European users last Monday. The app advised the user to call their sexual healthcare provider if there are any unusual sores. This dating app, which is used by men who have had sex with other men, has the largest global database. At least 60% of confirmed cases were found in the community, health officials said.
The UKHSA released Wednesday’s report on its findings regarding the monkeypox outbreak that began May 6. It marks the first case of monkeypox being transmitted from one person to another in Britain without any links to West or Central Africa.
On May 31, 2013, 132 out of the 153 England cases were settled in London.
A fifth of recent foreign travel to European country, defined as those made in the last 3 weeks, was linked with the infection. It is possible that many people contracted the virus from the UK.
It states that “investigations to date” have found links to gay bars, saunas, and use of dating apps in Britain and elsewhere.
“Investigations continue, but at the moment no one factor or exposure has been linked to these cases.
MailOnline reported that Grindr sent a warning to users in Europe on Monday. It advised them to consult their sexual health providers if any of their recent partners develop unusual sores.
UKHSA collaborates with the app, the British Association of Sexual Health and HIV and (BASHH), and British HIV Association to inform gay and bisexual males about health threats.
The current outbreak has been linked to several super-spreader events, including a gay pride festival in Gran Canaria on May 5-15, a fetish festival in Belgium on May 5-8 and a ‘sauna’ in Spain.
UKHSA’s director for emerging and clinical infections, Dr Meera Chand said that they are trying to end transmission chains, through contact tracing, vaccination, and other methods.
“We appreciate everyone who came forward to test. It is important to continue to educate everyone about the symptoms and seek out advice when they are concerned.
We remind everyone to check for any signs of new or recurrent blisters, spots, and ulcers. Anyone who suspects that they may have monkeypox should not contact anyone, especially if the person has recently been with a partner.
The UKHSA has teams reaching out to high-risk individuals with confirmed cases. They advise them to isolate themselves at home for 3 weeks, and not contact children.
Both confirmed cases and close contacts are being offered the Imvanex vaccine to form a buffer of immune people around a confirmed case to limit the spread of the disease.
This strategy is known as “ring vaccination” and has been successfully used to control previous cases of monkeypox. It’s also currently being implemented in some EU member countries.
Professor Kevin Fenton is the London region director for public healthcare. He said that although monkeypox can be contracted by anyone, we do know that it most commonly affects gays, bisexuals, and men who have had sex in London.
“We are reminding everybody about monkeypox symptoms, especially gay and bisexual men, to be particularly aware. If they have any concerns, call NHS 111 or your local sexual health clinic for immediate advice.
“As with every new outbreak of a disease, there is a high risk for stigmatization and uncertainty.
“This is why, we are working side-by side with the NHS and sexual health and community sector organizations in London to exchange accurate information about monkeypox, especially for people at higher risk.
In the meantime, WHO encouraged people to decrease the number of their sexual partners to combat the spread of this virus.
This comes at a time when Dr Hans Kluge, European Director of World Health Organization (WHO), says that monkeypox needs urgent action. He also warned against the possibility of a tropical epidemic.
He claimed that Europe was now the epicenter of the disease, as the epidemic is linked to the sexual transmission occurring at festivals and raves on the continent.
While Dr Kluge maintained that Covid will not be required to implement the same comprehensive population control measures, he said it would require’significant and urgent action’ in order for more people to avoid the disease.
While the WHO didn’t call for contact of suspected cases to be quarantined, they called for two-daily temperature check and close monitoring.
This week, the UN’s health agency raised the level of global danger to moderate. It warned that the virus could spread to children and patients in the community.
UKSA’s guidance was updated Monday night by the UKSA. It advises people to use condoms for eight weeks, after having cleared the virus.
Anyone in Britain who develops a new rash or blister is being urged to quarantine and call 111 — and not to leave isolation ‘until you’ve been told what to do’.
The order also states that they must refrain from having sex with anyone else ‘until the lesions heal and the scabs dry off’.
In a statement, Dr Kluge stated last night that:[Europe] remains at the epicentre of the largest and most geographically widespread monkeypox outbreak ever reported outside of endemic areas in western and central Africa.
According to the latest case reports, the current outbreak has been transmitted via social networks that are primarily connected through sexual activity.
‘Many — but not all cases — report fleeting and/or multiple sexual partners, sometimes associated with large events or parties.’
The UK Health Security Agency has issued an image of the stages of monkeypox. This virus is currently endemic in Africa. The stages of Monkeypox are shown in an undated file image from the UK Health Security Agency.
Dr Kluge stated that all young adults, regardless of their gender and sexual orientation, are at high risk for the virus.
He claimed that bisexual and gay communities had shown “rapid health-seeking behavior”, adding, “we should be applaud them” for coming forward early with symptoms.
However, he cautioned that festivals and other events planned in the months ahead could increase the risk of spreading the virus.
He stated that there is a high potential of further transmissions in Europe and other parts of the world over summer.
The emergence of ‘Monkeypox’ has been witnessed against the background to several large-scale gatherings. [Europe].
“Over the coming months many of the dozens planned festivals and large parties provide additional contexts where amplifying may occur.”
According to the WHO, event organizers must share “accurate and practical information” with their attendees during summer.
Meanwhile, the LGB Alliance — a trans-exclusionary gay rights group — issued A statement calling for the closure of gay saunas was taken down
According to the statement, “Monkeypox” is rapidly spreading. Gay and bisexual males have been most affected.
“This is why we call on all commercial venues for sex such as saunas/fetish bars or clubs with darkened rooms to be shut down for at least a month.
Critics accused them of homophobia. They argued the move would result in stigmatization ahead of Pride Month.
LGBA argued that this move would help’save Pride” by preventing massive outbreaks of disease just prior to the major events in the following four weeks.
Malcolm Clark, LGBA’s head of research, said to the Daily Telegraph that he was really grateful this time it wasn’t an additional Aids. But what would’ve happened if there were?
“We wouldn’t have complained about stigmatisation, and would still be taking our time. We don’t seem to have learned much 30 years later than HIV.
“It’s luck this disease isn’t fatal, but you could be dying from something else. It could even have been worse. Our lucky stars are to be praised.
Andy Seale, from the WHO’s department for HIV, hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections, on Monday said Pride parades pose little risk of spreading monkeypox.
He said most transmission is linked to ‘enclosed spaces’ such as nightclubs and there is no ‘enhanced risk’ of transmission at the annual celebrations.