A suspected case of Monkeypox has been listed locally as the disease continues to spread. Doctors in England now have to report any suspected cases of monkeypox virus, and labs also need to report if the virus is identified in a lab sample.
This is after the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) added the virus to the list of notifiable diseases on Wednesday 8 June. These are infectious diseases such as yellow fever, malaria, measles, scarlet fever, whooping cough and more. which must be communicated to local authorities or local health protection teams.
A suspected case of the virus was reported in Leicester the week ending June 5, according to data from infectious disease notifications, a weekly report where suspicious infections have been found. Other possible cases have been identified in Northampton and Wellingborough, Northamptonshire.
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But while suspicious cases are shown by the local authority area, the UKHSA only breaks down the number of confirmed cases by region. As such, it is not known whether these suspected cases have been confirmed as Monkeypox virus.
The latest government data show that there are three defined cases in the East Midlands. But neither Leicester City Council nor Leicestershire County Council were able to confirm whether they were in the local area.
The numbers of locally reported suspicious cases are well below the 524 cases confirmed by the UKHSA, which means that there may be more cases in these areas. Figures may be lower because confirmed cases have not been reported as suspicious.
In the week ending June 12, 12 cases were reported in England. That was in addition to three cases the previous week, two cases the previous week, and one case the week that ended May 22nd.
Where have suspicious cases of monkeypox been reported?
Week ending May 22nd
Week ending May 29th
Week ending June 5th
Week ending June 12
- Bromley
- Croydon
- Eping forest
- Hammersmith and Fulham
- Middlesbrough
- Reigate and Banstead
- Sheffield
- South Tyneside
- Sutton
- Thurrock
- Wellingborough
- Wigan
Local health officials have said there are some steps people should take to minimize the spread of the disease. These include standard hygiene measures, reporting the disease if you see symptoms, and limiting contact with other people if you detect it.
Anyone with symptoms, which may first present as flu-like fevers, chills, and muscle aches, with a rash on the face, or sometimes the late-onset genital area, should report the disease. They can call 111 or their GP for advice.
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