Monkeypox: 77 new cases identified in UK as total hits 302

Medics warn there is a ‘shortage’ of information for doctors on monkeypox in pregnant women

The highest number of monkeypox cases reported to the World Health Organisation have been from the UK (Reuters)

A further 77 cases of monkeypox cases have been recorded in the UK, bringing the total to 302.

The majority of cases, 287, are from England, while 10 have been identified within Scotland, three in Wales and two in Northern Ireland.

The UK Health Security Agency has said anyone who has experienced a rash with blisters and has been in contact with someone who might have monkeypox or has been to west or central Africa in the last three weeks should contact a sexual health clinic.

On Sunday, the World Health Organisation said that as of 2 June it had received 780 confirmed cases of monkeypox across 27 member states. The highest number of cases reported to WHO had been from the UK.

WHO said: “The sudden and unexpected appearance of monkeypox simultaneously in several non-endemic countries suggests that there might have been undetected transmission for some unknown duration of time followed by recent amplifier events.”

In its update, WHO said so far in the outbreak common reported symptoms included genital and perianal lesions, fever, swollen lymph nodes, and pain when swallowing, which suggested the transmission was taking place during sex.

It added oral sores were common in those with fever and swollen lymph nodes.

The news comes as new advice for doctors on managing monkeypox in pregnant women was published by researchers on Monday.

Dr Camilla Kingdon, president of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, and Dr Helen Mactier, president of British Association of Perinatal Medicine (BAPM), said: “There is a shortage of information at present about the spread of monkeypox in the UK, and its impact on pregnant women and newborns.

“This paper is therefore an important source of information to aid clinicians at a time when the numbers of cases in the UK is rising.  We would urge all paediatricians to familiarise themselves with its content as although the risks are low, there is important advice that can reduce the risk of neonatal infection.”