Information from The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA):
See the latest updates on cases of monkeypox identified by the UK Health Security Agency here.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has detected 11 additional cases of monkeypox in England. The latest cases bring the total number of monkeypox cases confirmed in England from 6 May to 20. The infection can be passed on through close contact or contact with clothing or linens used by a person who has monkeypox.
However, the virus does not usually spread easily between people and the risk to the UK population remains low.
Anyone with unusual rashes or lesions on any part of their body, especially their genitalia, should contact NHS 111 or call a sexual health service if they have concerns.
UKHSA continue to engage with partners to deliver training webinars about monkeypox to clinicians to increase knowledge and awareness of this infection which is unusual in clinical settings in the UK. The first of these was hosted earlier this week by British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) and was attended by over 900 people.
A notable proportion of early cases detected have been in gay and bisexual men and so UKHSA is urging this community, in particular, to be alert.
People should notify clinics ahead of their visit and can be assured their call or discussion will be treated sensitively and confidentially.
Monkeypox is usually a mild self-limiting illness, spread by very close contact with someone with monkeypox and most people recover within a few weeks.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has provided information on this outbreak here.