Wednesday 25 May 2022 04:19 PM England records SEVEN more cases of monkeypox bringing the UK total to 78  trends now

Wednesday 25 May 2022 04:19 PM England records SEVEN more cases of monkeypox bringing the UK total to 78  trends now
Wednesday 25 May 2022 04:19 PM England records SEVEN more cases of monkeypox bringing the UK total to 78  trends now

Wednesday 25 May 2022 04:19 PM England records SEVEN more cases of monkeypox bringing the UK total to 78  trends now

The UK has logged seven more monkeypox infections, health chiefs confirmed today, as confirmed global cases surpass 200.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said the additional infections, which were all detected in England, bring the UK total to 78 since the first case was publicised on May 7.

Scotland has so far logged one monkeypox case, while no infections have been reported in Wales or Northern Ireland.

It comes as experts warned today that eradicating smallpox may have left the world vulnerable to monkeypox

Britons were routinely offered smallpox jabs until the 1970s, when the scheme was deemed no longer necessary because the virus had been beaten into submission. Similar programmes were wound down across the world at the same time.

Scientists say the waning immunity from the mammoth inoculation campaigns may help explain why monkeypox outbreaks are becoming more common across the world.

Although not purposefully made for monkeypox, the Imvanex jab — made by Danish-based Bavarian Nordic — is up to 85 per cent effective because the two viruses are so similar. Antivirals and therapies for smallpox also work for monkeypox.

Dr Romulus Breban, a researcher at the Pasteur Institute in Paris, said the current global outbreak was 'waiting to happen' because of the world's 'almost zero' immunity level. Nineteen countries have detected cases in the past month, which has sparked alarm because infections usually only occur in west and central Africa.

Professor Neil Mabbott, an immunopathologist from the University of Edinburgh, told MailOnline over-50s are the only group protected against monkeypox. 'Although the level of immunity will wane in time, smallpox vaccination provides long-lasting protection,' he said. 'Some estimates suggest this may last for decades.'

There are signs that monkeypox was becoming more common even before the latest outbreak, with studies in Africa suggesting the rates increased 20-fold between the 1980s and mid-2000s.

Experts believe larger populations and more interaction with infected animals are behind the rise.

The smallpox vaccine, called Imvanex in the UK and Jynneos in the US, can protect against monkeypox because the viruses causing the illnesses are related

The smallpox vaccine, called Imvanex in the UK and Jynneos in the US, can protect against monkeypox because the viruses causing the illnesses are related

Professor Neil Mabbott (pictured), chair in immunopathology at the University of Edinburgh, told MailOnline this has left the under-50s are more susceptible to the virus than those aged over 50 who have been jabbed. 'Although the level of immunity will wane in time, smallpox vaccination provides long lasting protection. Some estimates suggest this may last for decades,' he said.

However, not all experts agree that a drop in immunity is fuelling the monkeypox spread. Professor Paul Hunter (pictured), an infectious disease expert based at the University of East Anglia, said it was 'difficult to say'. He pointed to data showing the smallpox vaccine was only fully effective for 'about five years'.

Professor Neil Mabbott (left), chair in immunopathology at the University of Edinburgh, told MailOnline this has left the under-50s are more susceptible to the virus than those aged over 50 who have been jabbed. 'Although the level of immunity will wane in time, smallpox vaccination provides long lasting protection. Some estimates suggest this may last for decades,' he said. However, not all experts agree that a drop in immunity is fuelling the monkeypox spread. Professor Paul Hunter (right), an infectious disease expert based at the University of East Anglia, said it was 'difficult to say'. He pointed to data showing the smallpox vaccine was only fully effective for 'about five years'

UK detects another FOURTEEN monkeypox cases as virus continues to sweep the world

Another 14 monkeypox patients have been spotted in England as the tropical virus continues to sweep the world amid fears it may have mutated to spread easier between humans.

UK Health Security Agency bosses (UKHSA) have now confirmed 71 cases in the unprecedented global outbreak. At least one child has been sickened so far — but no-one has died. Officials have also warned the worst may still be to come.

England has logged 70 cases since the first case was publicised on May 7, while Scotland has recorded one. None have yet been detected in Wales or Northern Ireland.

Officials said a 'notable proportion' have occurred among gay and bisexual men but have not provided an exact breakdown. No gender or age details have been shared, either.

Dr Susan Hopkins, the UKHSA's chief medical adviser, said new monkeypox cases were being spotted 'promptly' due to 'extensive surveillance and contact tracing networks'.

Nineteen countries across the world – mainly in Europe – have already detected the smallpox-like virus, sparking concerns it may have learned to spread easier among humans.

Infections are only detected sporadically outside of west and central Africa, where the virus is endemic in animals. Although, imported outbreaks have always fizzled out naturally after a few cases. 

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At least 221 monkeypox cases have been confirmed across the world since the first patient was sickened in the UK on May 6, with most infections among gay and bisexual men.

The United Arab Emirates, Czech Republic and Slovenia are the latest countries to log infections.

Pavel Dlouhy, head of Czech Republic's Society for Infectious Diseases, said: 'It was only a question of time, we have been expecting this for days.'

The Czech man showed symptoms of the disease after returning from a festival in Antwerp, Belgium in early May. Several monkeypox cases have since been linked with Darklands – a large-scale fetish festival, held from May 5-8. 

In Slovenia, a man who developed symptoms after returning from the Canary Islands, has also been confirmed to have monkeypox, according to health authorities. Monkeypox infections have already been linked with the Gran Canarian gay pride festival – attended by up to 80,000 people between May 5-15.

The UAE announced its first monkeypox case in a 29-year-old woman visiting the Gulf country from West Africa.

Meanwhile, England yesterday confirmed 14 more infections, bringing the UK-wide total to 71. Scotland confirmed its first ever case on Monday, while no infections have been spotted in Wales or Northern Ireland.

The UK Health Security Agency is contacting high-risk contacts of confirmed cases and advising them to self-isolate at home for three weeks and avoid contact with children. 

They are also being offered the Imvanex vaccine.

This strategy, known as ring vaccination, involves jabbing and monitoring anyone around an infected person to form a buffer of immune people to limit the spread of the disease.

In the UK, high-risk contacts of confirmed cases are being offered the Imvanex vaccine. This strategy, known as ring vaccination, involves jabbing and monitoring anyone around an infected person to form a buffer of immune people to limit the spread of the disease

In the UK, high-risk contacts of confirmed cases are being offered the Imvanex vaccine.

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