Thursday 28 Mar 2024
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KUALA LUMPUR (May 19): Separate incidents of monkeypox have been reported in the United Kingdom and the United States.

Monkeypox is a rare but potentially serious viral illness that typically begins with flu-like illness and swelling of the lymph nodes and progresses to rashes on the face and body. Most infections last two to four weeks.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has detected two additional cases of monkeypox, one in London and one in the south-east of England.

In an update on its website on Wednesday (May 18), UKHSA said the latest cases brought the total number of monkeypox cases confirmed in England since May 6 to nine, with recent cases predominantly in gay, bisexual or men who have sex with men (MSM).

It said the two latest cases had no travel links to a country where monkeypox was endemic, so it was possible they acquired the infection through community transmission.

UKHSA said the virus spreads through close contact, and advised individuals, particularly those who are gay, bisexual or MSM, to be alert to any unusual rashes or lesions on any part of their body, especially their genitalia, and to contact a sexual health service if they have concerns.

It said monkeypox has not previously been described as a sexually transmitted infection, though it can be passed on by direct contact during sex.

UKHSA said the infection can also be passed on through other close contact with a person who has monkeypox or contact with clothing or linens used by a person who has monkeypox.

Meanwhile, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) on Wednesday confirmed a single case of monkeypox virus infection in an adult male with recent travel to Canada.

DPH said initial testing was completed late on Tuesday at the State Public Health Laboratory in Jamaica Plain and confirmatory testing was completed at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

DPH said it was working closely with the CDC, relevant local boards of health, and the patient's healthcare providers to identify individuals who might have been in contact with the patient while he was infectious.

It said this contact tracing approach was the most appropriate given the nature and transmission of the virus.

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