New monkeypox case numbers have surged by more than double in England, health officials have confirmed.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said that there are now 56 cases of the disease south of the border alone.
This figure is an increase from the 20 confirmed as of Friday May 20, with a number of the cases confirmed in England identified in gay and bisexual men.
News of the rise in cases south of the border come after Scotland confirmed its own case of monkeypox earlier today.
Public Health Scotland said the individual is receiving care and treatment for their condition is underway.
Attempts are also being made to track down any recent close contacts of the person with the virus.
UKHSA officials have said the outbreak of monkeypox cases in the UK is “significant and concerning”, but the risk to the population remains low.
Dr Susan Hopkins, Chief Medical Adviser at the UKHSA, said: “Alongside reports of further cases being identified in other countries globally, we continue to identify additional cases in the UK.
“Thank you to everyone who has come forward for testing already and supported our contact tracing efforts – you are helping us limit the spread of this infection in the UK.
“Because the virus spreads through close contact, we are urging everyone to be aware of any unusual rashes or lesions, and to contact a sexual health service if they have any symptoms.
“A notable proportion of recent cases in the UK and Europe have been found in gay and bisexual men, so we are particularly encouraging these men to be alert to the symptoms.”
Those at the highest risk from contracting monkeypox are being asked to self-isolate for 21 days under new guidance issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
Monkeypox is a viral infection which is usually found in west and central Africa.
The West African strain that has been recently detected in the UK is generally a mild self-limiting illness, spread by very close contact with someone already infected and with symptoms of monkeypox.
Initial symptoms of the virus include a fever or high temperature, headache, muscle aches, backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills and exhaustion.
A blister-like rash or small number of blister-like sores can develop, often beginning on the face, then spreading to other parts of the body, including the genital area.
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