A case of Mpox (formerly known as Monkeypox) has been confirmed in the UK. Health officials are urging Brits to be aware of symptoms to watch out for as a result.
The case, which is linked to the outbreak in parts of Africa, has now been detected in the UK. The patient had recently been on holiday in Africa and began to feel sick 24 hours after flying home.
The patient started with flu-like symptoms on October 21, followed by a rash three days later. According to the BBC, they are being treated at the Royal Free Hospitals specialist high consequence infectious diseases unit in London.
The condition is understood to be part of the Clade 1b outbreak, which appears to spread more easily between people. Doctor John Burke, CMO of AXA Health, said: “Given there have been declared outbreaks of the virus in Africa, it’s understandable that the UK population may be worried about the virus spreading.”
However, the risk to the UK population is currently low. But there are several symptoms Brits should be aware of.
The four most common symptoms:
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The appearance of a rash that looks like blisters across the face and body
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High temperature and chills
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Aches, including headache, muscle aches, back pain, and a feeling of exhaustion
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Swollen lymph nodes
According to the NHS, if you get infected with mpox, it usually takes between five and 21 days for the first symptoms to appear. A rash usually appears one to five days after the first symptoms. It can be on any part of the body, including the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, mouth, genitals and anus.
The rash is sometimes confused with chickenpox. It starts as raised spots, which turn into sores (ulcers) or small blisters filled with fluid.
The blisters eventually form scabs which later fall off. The symptoms usually clear up in a few weeks. While you have symptoms, you can pass mpox on to other people.
What is Mpox?
Mpox has been identified in humans since the 1970s and is endemic in central and Western Africa. However, recent international outbreaks in 2022 and now 2024 have raised awareness of it globally.
In 2022, the global outbreak was of a virus type that was almost exclusively spread by sexual contact and was controlled very effectively in the UK via targeted vaccination and public health measures. Only 286 cases were reported up to July this year.
The new outbreak reported widely in the press appears to be caused by a different version of the virus. It is possibly more easily spread and severe, experts say.
Speaking about the issue, Dr Burke added: “These symptoms can be confused with other infectious illnesses, particularly chicken pox. At the current time in the UK, a history of travel to Africa or exposure to a known case are important features and advice from a health professional is needed if there are concerns.
“If you do contract the virus, it is usually mild and most people recover within a few weeks without any treatment, and there is an effective vaccine.”
How you get mpox:
Mpox can be passed on from person to person through:
- any close physical contact with mpox blisters or scabs (including during sexual contact, kissing, cuddling or holding hands)
- touching clothing, bedding or towels used by someone with mpox
- the coughs or sneezes of a person with mpox when they’re close to you
In parts of central and east Africa, mpox can also be caught from infected rodents (such as rats, mice and squirrels) if:
- you’re bitten
- you touch their fur, skin, blood, body fluids, spots, blisters or scabs
- you eat their meat and it has not been cooked thoroughly
What to do if you come into contact with Mpox:
Dr Burke said:“Self-isolation when unwell with an infectious disease and close attention to washing hands regularly with soap and water or using an alcohol-based sanitiser is part of ordinary life in the UK post the coronavirus pandemic and these measures should continue. Being aware of the symptoms of mpox and avoiding contact with others and seeking medical advice if you suspect you may be infected are important precautions.”