There has been a notable rise in the number of monkeypox cases identified in the North West. The climbing figures come as the number of cases across England has reached more than 700, revealed by the latest data.
The number of monkeypox cases in the North West has increased from a handful, less than five, just two weeks ago. The figure now stands at 26, according to the UK Health Security Agency, which published the most up-to-date numbers today (June 21).
The Manchester Evening News reported on Monday, June 20, that a suspected case of monkeypox had been reported in Greater Manchester. As of the week ending June 12, the latest data available, a suspected case has been reported in Wigan but there have not been any more reported in the other boroughs of the region.
READ MORE: 'Concerned' medics have a plan to deal with Monkeypox if it spreads to Greater Manchester
Monkeypox is a 'concern' for hospitals in Greater Manchester, which are understood to be preparing for any cases to arise, senior NHS sources in the region have told the Manchester Evening News. There are 'plans in place' to deal with any diagnoses that surface in Greater Manchester, and the city's hospital leaders say they are 'watching case numbers very closely'.
As of June 20, there were 793 laboratory confirmed cases in the UK. Of these, 18 were in Scotland, 3 were in Northern Ireland, 6 were in Wales and 766 were in England. A total of 80 per cent of England cases were known to be London residents - 498 of 624 with reported home addresses.
For confirmed cases in the UK, where gender information was available, 758 (99 per cent) confirmed cases were male, with five confirmed female cases. The median age of confirmed cases in the UK was 37 years, with an interquartile range of 31 to 43.
The figures for suspected cases reported locally are much lower than the number of cases confirmed by the UKHSA - meaning there may be more cases in these areas. Numbers may be lower because confirmed cases have not also been reported as suspected cases.
In the week ending June 16, there were 46 additional cases of monkeypox detected in England. That brought the total number confirmed in the UK to 574, demonstrating a significant national rise.
Anyone can get monkeypox, particularly if you have had close contact, including sexual contact, with an individual with symptoms. Currently most cases have been in men who are gay, bisexual or have sex with men.
People are advised to contact a sexual health clinic if they have a rash with blisters and has been in close contact, including sexual contact, with someone who has or might have monkeypox (even if they’ve not been tested yet) in the past 3 weeks, or if they've been to West or Central Africa in the past three weeks.
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