Monkeypox is not thought to be sexually transmitted, but it is spread through close contact, so sexual health clinics are at the forefront, Deborah Cohen said.
The number of confirmed cases of monkeypox in the United Kingdom has doubled to 57, according to the United Kingdom’s Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
The latest figures come after the first infection was confirmed in Scotland on Monday.
The increase in infection is an increase of 36 of the previously confirmed 20 cases.
The Public Health Agency of Northern Ireland and the Public Health Service of Wales said no cases had been confirmed.
Although the current epidemic is significant and worrying, the risk to the UK population remains low, a UKHSA statement said. The disease is usually mild, but in some cases can cause severe illness.
Dr Susan Hopkins, UKHSA’s chief medical adviser, thanked those affected for speaking out, saying they were “helping us to limit the spread of this infection in the UK”.
The smallpox vaccine, which is thought to be about 85% effective against monkeypox, is being offered to very close contacts of those who have been affected. The UK government has ordered several thousand doses of the sting in response to the epidemic.
People at the highest risk of contracting the disease are asked to isolate themselves at home for 21 days, while others are warned to watch out for symptoms.
Transmission between people takes place in the United Kingdom, with a large proportion of cases identified in the gay, bisexual and male community who have sex with other men.
Smallpox is not usually a sexually transmitted infection, but it can be transmitted through direct contact during sex.
It can also be spread by touching clothes, bedding or towels used by someone with a monkey rash, as well as by coughing and sneezing at someone with the infection.
Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, swollen lymph nodes, chills and exhaustion.
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