Eight more cases of monkeypox have been confirmed in England. This brings the total number of confirmed cases in the UK to 90.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said that, as of May 25, a total of 85 cases of monkeypox have been confirmed in England since May 7. There are 3 confirmed cases in Scotland, one in Wales and one in Northern Ireland, taking the UK total to 90.
UKHSA said that no cases have been confirmed in the South West. It said: "The risk to the UK population remains low, but we are asking people to be alert to any new rashes or lesions on any part of their body.
Read more: No cases of monkeypox detected in the South West
"Although this advice applies to everyone, a notable proportion of the cases identified to date have been among men who are gay, bisexual and men who have sex with men (MSM), so we are asking these people in particular to be aware of the symptoms, particularly if they have recently had a new sexual partner. You should contact a sexual health clinic immediately if you develop a rash or lesions – please phone ahead."
UKHSA health protection teams are contacting people considered to be high-risk contacts of confirmed cases and are advising those who have been risk assessed and remain well to isolate at home for up to 21 days.
More than 20,000 doses of a safe smallpox vaccine called Imvanex has also been purchased, said UKHSA, and this is being offered to identified close contacts of those diagnosed with monkeypox to reduce the risk of symptomatic infection and severe illness.
Dr Susan Hopkins, Chief Medical Adviser, UKHSA, said: "We are continuing to promptly identify further monkeypox cases in England through our extensive surveillance and contact tracing networks, our vigilant NHS services, and thanks to people coming forward with symptoms.
"If anyone suspects they might have rashes or lesions on any part of their body, particularly if they have recently had a new sexual partner, they should limit their contact with others and contact NHS 111 or their local sexual health service as soon as possible, though please phone ahead before attending in person."
Earlier this week, it was reported that a child was said to be in intensive care with the infection. The NHS describes monkeypox as "a rare infection that's mainly spread by wild animals in parts of west or central Africa" and it says the risk of catching it in the UK is low.
The NHS states: "Monkeypox can also be spread through:
- touching clothing, bedding or towels used by someone with the monkeypox rash
- touching monkeypox skin blisters or scabs
- the coughs or sneezes of a person with the monkeypox rash"
And it adds: "Only a small number of people have been diagnosed with monkeypox in the UK. You're extremely unlikely to have monkeypox if:
- you have not recently travelled to west or central Africa
- you have not been in close contact with someone who has monkeypox (such as touching their skin or sharing bedding)"
The first symptoms for monkeypox take between 5 and 21 days to appear. These include a high temperature, a headache, muscle aches, backache, swollen glands, shivering (chills) and exhaustion.
