Monkeypox Hits UK Household: Two Cases Confirmed
Two people living together have tested positive for monkeypox in the UK, health officials confirmed. They aren’t connected to another case diagnosed earlier this month in England.
One Hospitalised, One Isolating at Home
One of the infected individuals is receiving specialist care at St Mary’s Hospital in London. The other is isolating at home and does not need hospital treatment, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
Authorities are now investigating how these latest infections occurred and are contacting anyone who may have been in close contact with the pair to offer health advice.
What Is Monkeypox? Symptoms and Risks Explained
Monkeypox is a viral disease related to human smallpox but usually causes milder illness. Most patients recover within weeks. Initial symptoms include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Backache
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Chills
- Exhaustion
A distinctive rash often develops, progressing through stages before scabbing and falling off.
The NHS says monkeypox mainly spreads through wild animals in parts of west and central Africa. The risk of catching it in the UK remains very low.
Experts Stress Low Risk to Public
“Monkeypox does not spread easily between people and requires close personal contact with someone who is symptomatic,” said Dr Colin Brown, UKHSA’s director of clinical and emerging infections.
“The overall risk to the general public remains very low.”
Earlier this month, a previous monkeypox case involved a traveller recently back from Nigeria, who received treatment at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust in London.
