UK Health Experts Report Four New Cases Of Rare Monkeypox Virus

Health officials have announced four more cases of monkeypox as the “rare and unusual infection” continues to spread across the UK.

Investigations led by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) have revealed that three of the cases were detected in London, and one in the north-east of England. The agency is working to find links between the four confirmed cases, all of which appear to have been contracted in the capital.

These individuals have no prior affiliations to countries where monkeypox is endemic, and exactly where and how they got infected remains under investigation, the agency said.

Monkeypox is a viral infection equivalent to smallpox, which was eradicated in 1980. Although monkeypox is considered to be less harmful than smallpox, with most infected people recovering within a few weeks, in some cases it can be fatal.

The UKHSA also went on to say that all four of the most recent cases are men who identify as gay or bisexual.

The health body is now asking these groups “to be alert” for potential symptoms, which include rashes or lesions on any part of their body, especially their genitalia, and to contact a sexual health service if they have concerns.

“This is rare and unusual,” said UKHSA chief medial officer Susan Hopkins in a statement. “UKHSA is rapidly investigating the source of these infections because the evidence suggests that there may be transmission of the monkeypox virus in the community, spread by close contact.”

The health agency also said that other symptoms of monkeypox include fever, headache, muscle aches, backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills and exhaustion.