First ever monkeypox case in UK suspected to be from Nigeria

The first ever case of Monkeypox, has been recorded on Friday in the United Kingdom and the infected person is believed to have contracted the rare viral infection in Nigeria before travelling to the UK, according to the UK Guardian newspaper.

According to the Public Health England, the patient had been staying at a naval base in Cornwall but is now being treated at the infectious diseases unit at the Royal Free Hospital in London.

“As a precautionary measure, experts are working with the National Health Service (NHS) to contact a number of people who were on the same flight as the patient. The body has not revealed whether the patient is a member of the military, or confirmed their gender.”

PHE said in a statement: “People without symptoms are not considered infectious but, as a precaution, those who have been in close proximity are being contacted to ensure that if they do become unwell they can be treated quickly.” The organisation said passengers that are not contacted need take no action.

PHE explained that monkeypox does not spread easily and most patients recover within a few weeks, but it can cause severe illness in some people. Initial symptoms include fever, headache, aching muscles, backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills and exhaustion.

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.

Michael Jacobs, clinical director of infection at the Royal Free Hospital, said monkeypox “does not spread easily between people and the risk of transmission to the wider public is very low”.

“We are using strict isolation procedures in hospital to protect our staff and patients,” he added.

Nick Phin, the deputy director of the National Infection Service at PHE, said: “It is important to emphasise that monkeypox does not spread easily between people and the overall risk to the general public is very low.

“Public Health England is following up those who have had close contact with the patient to offer advice and to monitor them as necessary.”

He said PHE and the NHS have “well established and robust infection control procedures for dealing with cases of imported infectious disease and these will be strictly followed to minimise the risk of transmission”.