A child has been admitted to intensive care with monkeypox as cases in the UK continue to be detected daily, reports claim.
It is believed the young patient is receiving treatment at a London hospital.
Chief medical adviser Dr Susan Hopkins said the virus is being spread through community transmission in Britain, the Mirror reports.
She added: “We are detecting more cases on a daily basis. I’d like to thank all those coming forward for testing to sexual health clinics, to GPs and emergency departments.”
The UK Health Security Agency has so far confirmed 20 infections ahead of today's update.
Roughly 145 cases have been identified out with Central and West Africa, where the virus is most common.
That includes Europe, North America and Australia. The virus is usually mild but can be more serious in kids and the vulnerable.
Monkeypox causes a fever, headaches and a blistering rash on the face, hands and feet. It is spread by close contact.
Dr Hopkins added: “The community transmission is largely centred in urban areas and we are predominantly seeing it in individuals who self-identify as gay or bisexual.”
Asked to confirm reports someone is in intensive care with monkeypox, she said: “We don’t confirm individual reports and individual patients.”
The UK is treating contacts of confirmed cases with a smallpox jab that is effective against the virus.
Dr Hopkins said: “There is no direct vaccine for monkeypox.
"We’re using a form of smallpox vaccine in individuals at high risk of developing symptoms.”
Belgium became the first country to impose a 21-day monkeypox quarantine yesterday after recording three cases linked to a festival in Antwerp.
And high-risk contacts of patients in Britain could be required to isolate for three weeks, health chiefs said.
The current strain has a fatality rate of about 1%.
It tends to spread only among those with symptoms, making it simpler to control than coronavirus.
It comes as it was revealed British scientists warned of our vulnerability to monkeypox three years ago, saying it could fill the void left by smallpox.
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