Urgent warning to check for unexplained rashes as monkeypox cases spread with 7 infected

AN urgent warning has been issued to be on the lookout for unexplained rashes, as monkeypox cases spread in the UK.

Now seven infections have been found in the last two weeks, health chiefs have told doctors to be prepped for more.

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Monkeypox cases have spread since the first recent infection was revealed[/caption]

Yesterday it was confirmed four more cases had emerged, none linked to travel.

The first recent case in Britain was brought in by someone travelling back from Nigeria.

But now experts have warned it is being community spread, with people who might have been in close contact hunted down by doctors.

Dr Susan Hopkins, Chief Medical Adviser, UKHSA, said: “This is rare and unusual. 

“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.

“We are particularly urging men who are gay and bisexual to be aware of any unusual rashes or lesions and to contact a sexual health service without delay.

“We are contacting any potential close contacts of the cases to provide health information and advice.”

UKHSA urged doctors to be alert for people coming to see them with unexplained rashes.

Adding in a statement: ” The most recent cases are in  gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men communities, and as the virus spreads through close contact, we are advising these groups to be alert to any unusual rashes or lesions on any part of their body, especially their genitalia, and to contact a sexual health service if they have concerns.”

The rare disease is more commonly spread by wild animals in parts of west or central Africa.

But it can be caught by humans and taken to other countries, although it does not spread very easily between people.

Prof Jimmy Whitworth, Professor of International Public Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), said: “This outbreak of monkeypox is unprecedented in the UK and has provoked urgent public health action.

“There is a need to engage with the at-risk community of gay and bisexual men to ensure they know about the presence of this infection and report any sign and symptoms to health facilities.

“Cases need to be identified, isolated and treated, either in hospital or at home, depending on severity and circumstances.

“Close contacts need to be identified and monitored for signs of infection.”

BE AWARE

Direct contact with with monkeypox scabs or a person with a rash coughing or sneezing can spread the virus.

Symptoms include fever, a headache, chills, exhaustion, aches and swollen lymph nodes.

A rash usually spreads from the face across the body around five days after a fever appears before forming a scab.

The symptoms are usually mild and most people recover within a few weeks after receiving treatment in a specialist hospital.

Dr Michael Skinner, Reader in Virology, Imperial College London, said: “Monkeypox seems to require close contact to spread, we’ve seen infection of close family or household members and carers in hospitals, which might also include intimate contact

“Depending on the stage of infection, close range respiratory or droplet transmission can probably occur.

“Direct contact with lesions will probably transmit the virus, which might enter by the mouth.

“When the lesions have healed, the scabs (which might carry infectious virus) can be shed as dust, which could be inhaled.”