Monkeypox Transmission: WHO Says That UK Has Minimal Risk

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the risk of monkeypox transmission in the UK is minimal after the confirmation of the disease in one individual. On the 27th of May, health authorities from the UK notified WHO of the confirmed monkeypox case in an individual who had recently returned to the country from Nigeria.

Monkeypox is the name of a viral disease that generally occurs in the tropical rainforest areas of both Central and West Africa. It is occasionally exported to other regions. The virus is usually trasmitted to people from wild animals such as rodents and primates, although human-to-human transmission can also occur. The disease typically presents itself as a fever with a rash and swollen lymph nodes. Known risk factors are contact with live and dead animals (through hunting and consumption of wild game or bush meat).

WHO stated that the infected patient travelled to Nigeria in late April, stayed in Lagos and Delta states, and developed a rash on April 29. They returned to the UK on the 4th of May and went to a hospital that same day. As soon as monkeypox was suspected, the infected patient was immediately isolated. With the use of extensive contact tracing, exposed persons within the community, the hospital and the international flight were identified. So far, none of them have reported similar symptoms.

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“Since the case was immediately isolated and contact tracing was performed, the risk of onward transmission related to this case in the United Kingdom is minimal. However, as the source of infection in Nigeria is not known, there remains a risk of ongoing transmission in this country.”

Nigerian authorities were informed about the case on May 7. The patient did not report contact with anyone who had a rash illness, or known monkeypox, in Nigeria. Details of travel and contacts within the country were also shared for follow up as necessary. WHO, at this time, does not recommend any restrictions for travel to, and trade with, Nigeria or the UK, based on the available information at this time.

The monkeypox virus belongs to the orthopoxvirus family, which includes smallpox. It can be transmitted by contact and droplet exposure, and the incubation period is usually from six to 13 days but can also range from 5 to 21 days. the symptoms of this disease can be mild or severe, and usually resolve themselves spontaneously within 14 to 21 days. However, lesions can be very itchy or painful.

There have been seven cases of monkeypox previously reported in the UK, all of which were related to travel history to or from Nigeria. Two separate cases were also reported in the United States last year, also imported from Nigeria.

Since September 2017, Nigeria has continued to report cases of the disease, with 558 suspected cases up to 30 April of this year. The figure includes 241 confirmed cases, including eight deaths from the disease.