While the total number of Monkeypox cases stands at 56, the UK government has ordered several thousand doses of the vaccine which is said to be around 85% effective against the virus.
With 36 more cases detected in the UK on Monday, including the first case of the virus reported in Scotland, health officials have warned the rare virus could become endemic in Europe.
There have also been at least 85 confirmed cases of the virus in eight EU countries, including Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Sweden, May 15-23.
New Monkeypox guidelines have also been released for close contacts, including three weeks of self-isolation in light of the outbreak.
#monkey pox Anyone with rashes or unusual lesions on any part of their body should contact NHS 111 or call a sexual health service. With recent cases mostly reported among gay and bisexual men, members of this community should be especially vigilant.
Get the latest updates ⏬– UK Health Safety Agency (@UKHSA) May 23, 2022
Here’s how monkeypox and its “cousin” smallpox are similar and how they vary.
What is monkeypox and why is it called that?
Monkeypox is a rare infection that spreads mainly among wild animals in parts of West or Central Africa.
The disease was first discovered in research monkeys in 1958, hence its name.
The first human case was recorded in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the risk of catching it in the UK is generally very low.
How are Monkeypox and Smallpox similar?
It is caused by the Monkeypox virus which comes from a subset of the Poxviridae family of viruses known as Orthopoxvirus.
This family of viruses also includes the smallpox, vaccinia and cowpox viruses.
St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, London. Credit: PA
Symptoms of monkeypox and smallpox
Monkeypox symptoms are also quite similar but milder than smallpox symptoms.
Since they are closely related, the smallpox vaccine can provide protection against infection by both viruses.
The main difference between their symptoms is that monkeypox causes the lymph nodes to swell (lymphadenopathy) while smallpox does not.
These are the symptoms you need to be aware of that are linked to Monkeypox, according to Public Health England.
Read the latest updates in our news article: https://t.co/e8jksQo9Av#monkey pox @THTorguk @BASHH_UK @BritishHIVAssoc @TeamPrepster @teozka pic.twitter.com/bPvx9jUJNd
– UK Health Safety Agency (@UKHSA) May 19, 2022
- Fever
- Headache
- sore muscles
- Back ache
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Chills
- Exhaustion
Infected people usually begin to show symptoms between five and 21 days after infection.
The UKHSA said early symptoms include “fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, swollen lymph nodes, chills and exhaustion”.
The government added that a rash can develop which often starts on the face and can then spread to other parts of the body.
The rash can change and go through different stages before finally crusting over and falling off.
How serious is Monkeypox and how does it spread?
The Monkeypox virus outbreak has raised fears we have a second Covid on our hands, but Dr Nick Phin, Director of Public Health Science and Chief Medical Officer of Public Health Scotland assured that was not the case .
Dr Phin confirmed the virus was ‘not Covid two’ and added: ‘I don’t think it’s Covid two, in fact I’m sure it’s not Covid two.
“There are a number of striking differences between this and Covid. We have a longer incubation period. We have an effective vaccine and we have effective drugs. There’s not what we consider an asymptomatic phase, so in other words, if you have symptoms, that’s when you’re contagious.
It is important to note that most patients recover within a few weeks of contracting the disease and do not need treatment.
However, it can cause serious illness in some people.
You can catch monkeypox from an infected animal if you have been bitten or “touch its blood, body fluids, spots, blisters or scabs”, according to the NHS website.
The NHS also says you can catch monkeypox by eating meat from an infected animal that hasn’t been thoroughly cooked.
It is also possible to catch it by touching other infected animal products, including animal skin and fur.
It is rare to get monkeypox from another infected person because it is not easily transmitted from person to person.
That being said, the NHS says it can be spread by the following methods:
- touching clothes, bedding, or towels used by someone with monkeypox rash
- touching blisters or scabs of skin from monkeypox
- coughing or sneezing from someone with monkeypox rash
- direct contact during sex
For more tips…
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Source: www.times-series.co.uk
This notice was published: 2022-05-23 16:17:04
