The UK has the largest identified cases of monkeypox after Africa, with more than 300 confirmed cases a month after the outbreak began. To date, more than 700 cases of the virus have been detected, with several more suspicious cases in more than 20 countries around the world. The virus is known to spread when there is close contact with an infected person, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Here are the latest updates on the monkeypox outbreak:
1. The UK Health Security Agency has designated monkeypox as a ‘notifiable infectious disease’, as more than 300 cases of the disease have been detected in the country. With the designation of the disease, doctors in England will have to alert local authorities when they suspect a patient has the virus. Wendi Shepherd, director of monkeypox incidents at UKHSA, said in a statement: “Rapid diagnosis and notification are the key to disrupting transmission and containing any other spread of monkeypox. This new legislation it will help us and our healthcare partners to quickly identify, treat and control the disease, “Reuters reported.
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2. The UK is stepping up its monkeypox reporting requirement as it faces a massive outbreak. The country is accelerating data collection and analysis, helping officials detect possible outbreaks and track contacts quickly, while providing vaccinations when needed, Bloomberg reported.
3. Canada has issued a travel warning for smallpox, advising travelers in more than two dozen countries, including Australia, Britain and the United States, to take precautions. Canada, in its Level 2 warning, has also warned of possible delays in returning home if passengers become ill.
4. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said it has removed a mask recommendation from its monkeypox travel warning to avoid “confusion” about the disease. Earlier, the agency had suggested that travelers should wear a mask, as it can help protect against “many diseases, including smallpox.”
5. A five-year-old boy from Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh, who was suspected of being infected with monkeypox, tested negative on Tuesday. The sample was sent for testing after the child complained of itching and rashes on the body.
(With contributions from agencies)