UK monkeypox cases hit 1,500 as vaccine rollout begins, public urged to be vigilant

The number of monkeypox cases reached 1,500 as the public was told to be “vigilant”.

A vaccine has been rolled out to contain the outbreak, which shows no signs of slowing down.

The monkey pox the number of cases increased by 14 percent three daysthe UK Health and Safety Authority (UKHSA) has shown.

Another 201 cases were detected between July 4 and 7, bringing the total to 1,552.

The outbreak, which has been ongoing since May, shows “no sign of abating”, UKHSA said.

Almost every person with the virus was gay or bisexual.

There is no evidence of this yet an error has spilled over beyond that group, UKHSA said.

A vaccination program begins, and sexual health services offer the vaccine to anyone at increased risk of infection.

“This includes people who have recently had multiple partners, engaged in group sex, attended sex rooms or recently had a sexually transmitted bacterial infection,” health chiefs said.

New data shows that about 17 percent of patients who provided information said they had been to some kind of sex party.

Experts say that monkey pox it’s not a “gay disease”and it is most likely a mere coincidence that the virus entered this community.

Monkey pox can be transmitted through skin-to-skin contact, and studies show that people get it through sex.

Its most characteristic symptoms are a rashresulting in blisters over time.

Dr Meera Chand, UKHSA’s director of clinical and emerging infections, said: “It is concerning that we continue to see the outbreak grow and we are calling on the public to do everything they can to help us slow the spread.

“If you have recently had new or multiple sexual partners, be careful with them symptoms of monkey poxand keep in mind that many of the cases we see show only isolated or few lesions.

“If you fear you have monkey pox, take a break from events, meeting friends, or having sex.

“Instead, stay at home and seek advice from 111 or your local sexual health service. Please contact the clinic before your visit and avoid close contact with others until you have been seen by the clinician.

“To help trace our contacts, we urge everyone to make sure they share contact details with sexual partners.

“If you are called for vaccination, we strongly recommend that you get it.”

The average age of the infected is 36 years, the epicenter is London (75 percent of cases).

Monkey pox is a zoonotic infection found mainly in West and Central Africa.

Several previous cases in the UK were imported from countries where monkeypox is common.

But for the first time, the virus is spreading through parts of the population.

The rise in the UK comes as the US also reported 700 cases of the bug.

California was the hardest hit with 136 cases, followed by New York, where 131 were detected.