Monkeypox patients have been warned to stop having sex while they have the virus as top public health agencies issue new advice in a bid to stop the spread.
It comes as a further 71 cases of monkeypox have been detected in England, as of May 29 according to the UKHSA, bringing the total number confirmed in England since May 7 to 172. Fresh guidance released on Monday, May 30, by health chiefs also urges patients to use condoms for eight weeks after virus during any sexual activities to manage transmission of the disease, and to avoid close contact with others until their lesions have healed and any scabs have dried off.
The new measures were agreed by the UK’s four public health agencies: the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Public Health Scotland (PHS), Public Health Wales (PHW) and Public Health Agency Northern Ireland (PHA).
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They said: “Cases should abstain from sex during the period of early symptom onset and avoid contact with any lesions. Whilst there is currently no available evidence of monkeypox in genital excretions, as a precaution, cases are advised to use condoms for eight weeks after infection and this guidance will be updated as evidence emerges.
“People with monkeypox should avoid contact with other people until their lesions have healed and the scabs have dried off. Cases can reduce the risk of transmission by following standard cleaning and disinfection methods and washing their own clothing and bed linen with standard detergents in a washing machine.”
Alongside this, the health bosses said that people who have had contact with someone with the disease should also be risk assessed and may be told to isolate for 21 days if necessary.
Those suspected or confirmed to have monkeypox who need to travel to seek care should make sure any lesions are covered by clothing, wear a face covering, and avoid public transport where possible.
World Health Organisation warned current case rates might only be the “peak of the iceberg”. Speaking at the World Health Assembly in Geneva on Friday, May 27, pandemic preparedness and prevention chief Sylvie Briand said: "We don’t know if we are just seeing the peak of the iceberg [or] if there are many more cases that are undetected in communities.
Monkeypox is usually characterised by a rash which starts as raised spots, turning into small blisters filled with fluid. If you get infected with monkeypox, it usually takes between five and 21 days for the first symptoms to appear. The first symptoms of monkeypox include: a high temperature, a headache, muscle aches, backache, swollen glands, shivering (chills) and exhaustion.
According to the NHS, to lessen the risk of catching the disease, people should wash their hands with soap and water regularly or use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser, and only eat meat that has been cooked thoroughly.
People should also avoid going near wild or stray animals, including dead animals or any animals that appear unwell. As well as this, people should not have close contact or share bedding or towels with those who are unwell and may have monkeypox.
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