About our Monkeypox (mpox) news
Latest news about Monkeypox, a rare viral infection similar to human smallpox. An outbreak was confirmed in May 2022, beginning with a cluster of cases in the UK. The virus is found in monkeys, apes, and rodents in Africa. It is usually spread to humans through contact with the animals. Symptoms include fever, rash, headache, muscle aches, backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills and exhaustion. Monkeypox is not as deadly as smallpox, but it can still be serious. A rash might appear on the face before spreading elsewhere on the body. There is no specific treatment for the virus, but people who are infected can be treated for the symptoms.
After several cases were detected in England in 2022, Dr Susan Hopkins, Chief Medical Adviser, UK Health Security Agency, said: 'This is rare and unusual. UKHSA is rapidly investigating the source of these infections because the evidence suggests that there may be transmission of the monkeypox virus in the community, spread by close contact'. UKHSA said that 'the risk to the UK population remains low, but we are asking people to be alert to any new rashes or lesions, which would appear like spots, ulcers or blisters, on any part of their body.'
The World Health Organization renamed monkeypox as mpox in November 2022, following concern over 'racist and stigmatizing language'.
In May 2023, the World Health Organization declared an end to the global health emergency declared in response to the worldwide outbreak of the mpox virus.