Increases By 11, Total Monkeypox In The UK To 20 Cases, Health Agency: Next Few Days Will Increase

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JAKARTA - The British Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said it had detected 11 new cases of monkeypox. The total number of confirmed infections in the country stands at 20.

The UK has previously reported a total of nine cases of the usually mild viral illness, which is characterized by fever and a characteristic bumpy rash.

"We expect this increase to continue in the coming days and more cases to be identified in the wider community. At the same time we are receiving reports of further cases being identified in other countries globally," UKHSA Chief Medical Advisor Susan Hopkins said in a statement. a statement quoted by Reuters via Antara, Friday, May 20.

"We are continuing to rapidly investigate the source of this infection and raise awareness among healthcare professionals."

UK Health Minister Sajid Javid said he had informed the health ministers of the G7 countries about what was known so far about the outbreak.

"Most of the cases are mild, and I can confirm that we have received further doses of the vaccine which is effective against monkeypox," Javid said on Twitter.

There is no specific vaccine for monkeypox but the UKHSA says the smallpox vaccine does offer protection. First identified in monkeys, the disease is usually spread by close contact and occurs mostly in west and central Africa.

Rarely spreading elsewhere, a spate of new cases of monkeypox outside Africa has sparked concern.

The UKHSA says most of the recent cases in the UK and Europe have been found in gay and bisexual men.