Surprisingly, seven cases have been reported in Britain of monkeypox.
Rare tropical diseases are now being spread throughout the area. The pattern, according to health officials, is “highly suggestive” of spreading through sexual networks.
The virus has been restricted to travelers and close family members returning from West Africa.
Monkeypox can kill up to one in 10 people it infects — but the strain spreading in the UK is milder and has a fatality rate of about one in 100.
This is about the same amount as the original strain of Covid from Wuhan. However, vaccines have made it much more difficult to infect the virus.
Monkeypox is not a vaccine or a treatment. However, because it shares many characteristics with smallpox, jabs to that virus can also be effective.
However, no vaccine has been approved for use in the UK.
This is all we know so far about the UK’s monkeypox epidemic:
The Monkeypox virus is rare and can infect up to 10% of people. However, it does not easily spread between individuals. This tropical disease, which is an endemic problem in Africa’s parts, is well-known for its unusual and rare rashes and bumps. (file photo).
Seven Britons have been diagnosed with monkeypox and six of them appear to have contracted it in the UK — in a sign the virus is spreading in the community. A seventh UK patient was infected with the disease after bringing it back from Nigeria. Three patients currently receive care in specialist NHS units located in London and Newcastle.
What’s monkeypox?
Monkeypox, a very rare viral infection, is usually contracted by people in West Africa.
It’s a common mild disease that spreads through contact with other animals, such as squirrels.
You can transmit it to your family members by very close contact.
When a virus similar to pox developed in monkeys that were kept as research animals in 1958, Monkeypox became a reality.
In 1970, the first case of human infection was reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Since then, the disease has been confirmed in several central and western African countries.
A few cases of the disease have been reported from outside Africa, but they’re usually restricted to those who are familiar with Africa.
This is how deadly it can be!
Monkeypox can be mild. Most patients recover in a matter of weeks, even without any treatment. However, it can be fatal.
Up to 10% of those infected by Monkeypox die from it.
However, with milder strains the fatality rate is closer to one in 100 — similar to when Covid first hit.
All of the UK cases had the West African virus. This strain is more mild than the Central African one.
What is the cure for this condition?
Monkeypox is not a vaccine or treatment.
Jabs against smallpox are effective in protecting people from developing monkeypox because the monkeypoxvirus is very similar to smallpox.
Jynneos (also known as Imvamune and Imvanex) has been licensed in the US. It is used to treat monkeypox. It is not permitted in the UK.
It was found that the vaccine is around 85 percent effective at preventing monkeypox.
Antivirals and pooled blood from individuals vaccinated against smallpox can be used to treat severe cases.
Is the UK currently experiencing an outbreak of the flu?
Between May 6th and 15, seven cases of monkeypox were confirmed in the UK.
These cases often involve travel to West Africa.
Six of six infected Brits hadn’t traveled abroad in recent years, which suggests that there has been transmission to people living in the UK.
Some cases may have contracted the virus via sex, which experts describe as “bizarre”.
Although it was thought that Monkeypox could not be spread through sexual interaction, close contact with lesion or droplets of respiratory fluids is what the virus did.
Because it’s not known how many people were infected with Monkeypox, the NHS is trying to track down contact information.
International agencies are being used by health leaders to assess if there are similar outbreaks elsewhere.
How do the British case cases fare?
One is in London and five are in South East Asia. The North East has one.
A case of a recent traveler to Nigeria was the first confirmed.
The patients received treatment at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust in London.
London was the site of two additional cases. Although the infected couple live in the same house, they were not in touch with each other until the announcement of the second case in London on May 14.
One of the patients is currently receiving treatment at St Mary’s Hospital, London’s expert in infectious diseases unit. Another is healthy and is able to stay at home.
On May 16, four more cases were reported, bringing the total for Britain to seven.
London was home to two cases, the South East and North East being the remaining ones.
While the four most recent cases are not known to have been connected with any of the other three, they were both known to one another.
Four new cases occurred in bisexual, gay and lesbian men.
Mateo Prochazka is an STI expert who heads the UKHSA team investigating the outbreak. He claimed that the patterns of the spread are ‘highly suggestive’ of spreading in sexual networks.
This is so alarming.
According to UK health officials, the threat is minimal for the UK’s population.
However, they advised gay, bisexual, and other heterosexual men to exercise extra caution as they seem to be more at risk.
These groups have been urged to look out for any unusual rashes or lesions on any part of their body, especially their genitalia, and to contact a sexual health service without delay if they have concerns.
Scientists believe that the spread of the virus will not be as severe and widespread as Covid’s.
Monkeypox has a poor ability to spread between humans, and it relies upon close contact and long-term relationships between people.
All seven cases of this virus in the UK were caused by the milder West African strain, with a one-in-100 fatality rate.
How can you identify the signs?
Initial signs of monkeypox are fever, headaches, muscle aches and backache.
Its most distinctive feature, however, is the rash which often starts on the forehead and spreads to the arms, legs, feet, hands, and sometimes the feet.
It can change and go through various stages, before eventually forming a crust that later disappears.
How do I deal with symptoms?
Monkeypox can be contracted by anyone who contacts clinics before they visit.
Chiefs of health say that any call they make or discuss will be handled sensitively and confidentially.