May 9, 2022
2 mins read

Monkeypox case confirmed in UK

The patient is now being treated at an expert infectious disease unit at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS trust in London….reports Asian Lite News

A person in England has been diagnosed with the rare monkeypox virus, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed.

According to the health agency, the patient had recently travelled to Nigeria, where he is believed to have caught the virus before coming to the UK, the BBC reported.

The patient is now being treated at an expert infectious disease unit at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS trust in London.

The NHS defines Monkeypox as a rare viral infection from which most people recover in a few weeks.

Importantly, UKHSA officials said the virus does not spread easily between people, thus the risk to the public was very low, the report said.

“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,” the health agency said in its latest update.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Monkeypox virus belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus in the family Poxviridae. The Orthopoxvirus genus also includes variola virus (which causes smallpox), vaccinia virus (used in the smallpox vaccine), and cowpox virus.

While the natural reservoir of monkeypox remains unknown, African rodents and non-human primates (like monkeys) may harbour the virus and infect people, the CDC said.

It was first discovered in 1958 when two outbreaks of a pox-like disease occurred in colonies of monkeys kept for research, hence the name monkeypox.

The first human case of monkeypox was recorded in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) during a period of intensified effort to eliminate smallpox. Since then, monkeypox has been reported in people in several other central and western African countries.

Outside Africa cases have been detected in the US, Israel, Singapore.

The UK first recorded the human case in 2018, and since then a handful of cases have been confirmed by health authorities.

Initial symptoms of monkeypox include fever, headache, muscle aches, backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills and exhaustion, the UKHSA said.

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.

However, the officials warned that close contact with an infected person can lead to spread. The virus can enter the body through broken skin, the respiratory tract or through the eyes, nose or mouth, the report said.

ALSO READ: UK hits Russia with new sanctions

Previous Story

Bulldozers now rolling in CAA stir site Shaheen Bagh

Next Story

BSF hands over 4 Bangladeshi national to BGB

Latest from -Top News

Taipei Gets Tough on Beijing

The new move marks one of the most comprehensive efforts in recent years to strengthen Taiwan’s legal defences against Beijing’s covert attempts…reports Asian Lite News Taiwanese lawmakers from both the ruling and

Pakistan Warns Afghanistan War

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif warned that Islamabad could enter an “open war” with Kabul if peace talks in Istanbul fail to ease rising Afghan border tensions…reports Asian Lite News Pakistan’s Defence

UN Signs Landmark Cybercrime Treaty

Malaysia’s foreign minister warned ASEAN is losing neutrality amid rising global power competition, ahead of the bloc’s annual summit….reports Asian Lite News Sixty-five nations have signed a landmark United Nations convention in

Malaysia Warns ASEAN Neutrality Eroding

Malaysia’s foreign minister warned ASEAN is losing neutrality amid rising global power competition, ahead of the bloc’s annual summit….reports Asian Lite News  Malaysia’s foreign minister has warned Southeast Asian counterparts that the
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Indian High Commission in the UK Celebrates New Year

The video featured members of the Indian Mission in London

Sikh Women’s Aid: Empowering and Transforming Lives

SWA’s mission holds a mirror to the community’s collective conscience,