Monkeypox Virus Case Confirmed In U.K, Here's All You Need To Know

New Delhi: When the world is trying to get rid of the COVID-19, there is another virus that has come to the fore to take on humans named 'Monkeypox' -- a virus passed from infected animals such as rodents to humans.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed that an individual has been diagnosed with monkeypox in England, and has recent travel history from Nigeria, which is where they are believed to have contracted the infection, before travelling to the UK.

What is Monkeypox?

According to UKHSA, Monkeypox is a rare viral infection that does not spread easily among people. It is usually a mild self-limiting illness and most people recover within a few weeks. However, severe illness can occur in some individuals.

"It is important to emphasise that monkeypox does not spread easily between people and the overall risk to the general public is very low," Dr. Colin Brown, Director of Clinical and Emerging Infections at the UKHSA, said on Saturday.

''We are working with NHS England and NHS Improvement (NHSEI) to contact the individuals who have had close contact with the case prior to confirmation of their infection, to assess them as necessary and provide advice. UKHSA and the NHS have well-established and robust infection control procedures for dealing with cases of imported infectious disease and these will be strictly followed.,'' he added.

The patient is receiving care at the expert infectious disease unit at the Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London.

Precautionary Measure:

Meanwhile, as a precautionary measure, UKHSA experts are working closely with NHS colleagues and will be contacting people who might have been in close contact with the individual to provide information and health advice.

This includes contacting a number of passengers who travelled in close proximity to the patient on the same flight to the U.K.

Symptoms:

Initial symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills, and exhaustion. A rash can develop, often beginning on the face, then spreading to other parts of the body. The rash changes and goes through different stages before finally forming a scab, which later falls off.

How does monkeypox infection spread?

The monkeypox infection can be spread when someone is in close contact with an infected person.

As per UKHSA, the virus can enter the body through broken skin, the respiratory tract, or through the eyes, nose, or mouth. However, there is a very low risk of transmission to the general population.

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