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Monkeypox is a virus, which is very difficult to transmit from someone who is a carrier of the infection and can be acquired mainly from animals.
The case where monkeypox can be transmitted is through sexual intercourse and close physical contact.
How many cases are there globally?
According to the WHO, as of July 21 there have been a total of 15,328 laboratory-confirmed cases of monkeypox, along with 72 probable cases and five deaths since January 1, 2022.
So far the UK Health Safety Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed 2,208 cases in the UK, of which 2,115 are in England.
Which countries are most affected?
According to WHO, the 10 most affected counties are:
- Spain (3,125)
• Germany (2,191)
• United Kingdom (2,137)
• United States of America (2,102)
• France (1,453)
• Netherlands (656)
• Canada (604)
• Portugal (515)
• Brazil (384)
• Italy (374)
These countries account for more than 88% of reported cases globally, the WHO says.
There is a noticeable lag between the UKHSA’s reporting and the figure given for the UK by the World Health Organisation.
How is it spreading?
Dr Susan Hopkins, chief medical adviser to the UKHSA, has warned that monkeypox is spreading through community transmission.
Gay and bisexual men are disproportionately affected by the spread of the virus, with 98% of those infected from this group.
Asked why it is in that demographic, Dr Hopkins said: “It is because of the frequent close contact they may have.
“We would recommend anyone who changes sex partners regularly, or has close contact with individuals they don’t know, to come forward if they develop a rash.”
There is no direct vaccine for monkeypox, but a form of smallpox vaccine – which has not been used routinely in the UK since 1971 – is being used as it is safe for individuals who are contacts of cases .
The WHO says the virus is not as contagious as COVID-19 as it requires close contact to spread.
How can you catch monkey pox?
According to the NHS, you can catch monkeypox if you are bitten by an infected animal or if you touch its blood, body fluids, spots, blisters or scabies.
Catching it from an infected person is very unusual, but transmission is possible through close physical contact, including sexual intercourse, touching clothing, bedding, towels, or other items used by someone with the rash.
Contact with their blisters or scabs or exposure to their coughs or sneezes can also put you at risk.
Health experts say the infection can also be caught by eating meat from an infected animal that has not been cooked properly.
It is also possible to catch monkeypox by touching other products such as leather or fur that come from an infected animal.
The rare infection is spread mainly by rodents, such as rats, mice and squirrels, in parts of west or central Africa.
If people travel to destinations in those regions, they are advised to regularly wash their hands or use hand sanitizer and eat only meat that has been thoroughly cooked.
To further minimize infection, people should not approach wild or stray animals, including those that are dead or appear to be unwell.
What are the symptoms we should be concerned about?
It usually takes between five and 21 days for symptoms to appear.
Initial symptoms include high fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, swollen glands, chills and exhaustion.
A rash usually appears between one and five days after the first symptoms, starting on the face and then spreading to other parts of the body.
It can be confused with chicken pox as it starts with raised spots.
Symptoms usually disappear within two to four weeks, although some people will need hospital treatment.
What should I do if I have been in close contact with someone who has monkeypox?
Contacts of monkeypox cases at high risk of contracting the infection should be isolated for 21 days, according to the latest government guidance.
The UKHSA recommends that people who have had “unprotected direct contact or high-risk environmental contact” should self-isolate for three weeks.
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