Monkeypox virus: what is it and is it contagious? Fears of epidemics increase in the United Kingdom

Monkeypox was reported for the first time in the UK earlier this week by Public Health England.

The patient was staying at a naval base in Cornwall before being transferred to the Infectious Diseases Unit of the Royal Free Hospital in London.

A second case in the UK was later confirmed on Tuesday. It was thought that the patient had contracted the disease in Nigeria before traveling to the UK and after showing up at Victoria Hospital in Blackpool, they had been transferred to Royal Liverpool University Hospital.

But what is monkeypox and is it contagious?

Monkeypox is an infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus.

Similar to smallpox, it is typically found in West and Central Africa and has the potential to be fatal.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the virus is contagious and transmitted through direct contact with blood, body fluids or infected animal lesions.

He explains, "In Africa, human infections have been documented by the manipulation of infected monkeys, giant rats and Gambian squirrels, with rodents being the most likely virus to be reserved.

"Eating undercooked meat from infected animals is a possible risk factor."

But monkeypox can also be transmitted by human-to-human contact.

The WHO adds, "Transmission may result from close contact with infected respiratory secretions, skin lesions from an infected person or objects recently contaminated with fluids or damaged materials.

"Transmission occurs mainly through the intermediary of respiratory particles containing droplets, which usually requires prolonged face-to-face contact, which increases the risk of infection among household members of active cases.

"Transmission can also occur by inoculation or via the placenta."

There is no evidence to date, however, that person-to-person transmission alone can withstand monkeypox infections in the human population.

What are the signs and symptoms of monkeypox?

The first signs of the virus usually appear in the first five days. It is a fever, intense headache, swollen lymph nodes, back pain, muscle aches and lack of energy.

Within a period of one to three days after the onset of fever, the skin breaks out into a rash that can start on the face and then spread to other parts of the body.

The palms of the hands and the soles of the feet are also popular places for the onset of rash.

Rashes tend to appear initially as flat-base lesions but can develop into small, fluid-filled blisters.

About ten days later, the blisters will begin to crust and it may take another three weeks for the crusts to disappear completely.