Unusual rash may be monkeypox – UK warns men

UK Gay and bisexual men have been braced for ‘unusual rash’ following the detection of monkeypox on four men.

The United Kingdom now has seven cases of monkeypox in total for the category of men.

According to reports, all the four new patients are gay and/or bisexual men who were infected inside London.

Health chiefs have confirmed earlier today that the patients had no travel links to Africa.

Monkeypox is usually mistaken for more common rash illnesses like chickenpox, measles, scabies, and syphilis, making its early diagnose difficult.

Dr. Susan Hopkins, chief medical adviser at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), disclosed that “This is rare and unusual.”

He said, “UKHSA is rapidly investigating the source of these infections because the evidence suggests that there may be transmission of the monkeypox virus in the community, spread by close contact.

“We are particularly urging men who are gay and bisexual to be aware of any unusual rashes or lesions and to contact a sexual health service without delay.”

All the seven UK cases have tested positive for the West African strain of the virus.

However, according to the UKHSA, the mode of infection “remains under urgent investigation”.