PEOPLE infected with monkeypox can isolate themselves at home if they remain well enough, whilst following measures to limit close contact with others, the UK's health security agency (UKHSA) said on Monday (30), part of guidance designed to curb the country's rise in cases of the viral illness.
More than 300 suspected and confirmed cases of monkeypox have been reported in May, outside of Africa where the virus is endemic. The usually mild illness spreads through close contact and can cause flu-like symptoms and pus-filled skin lesions.
An additional 71 cases of monkeypox have been identified in England, the UKHSA said separately, taking the total number of confirmed cases in the United Kingdom as a whole to 179 since early May.
Scientists are looking into what might explain the unusual surge of cases, given most are not linked to travel.
The UKHSA indicated community transmission was occurring in the UK and said infected people should avoid contact with others until their lesions have healed and the scabs have dried off.
Infected people can limit the risk of spread by using standard cleaning and disinfection methods, and washing their own clothing and bed linen with detergents in a washing machine, the agency advised.
In addition, infected people should abstain from sex as soon as symptoms appear, the agency said. While there is currently no available evidence of monkeypox spreading via genital excretions, it advised that people with the virus should use condoms for eight weeks after infection as a precaution.
The highest risk of transmission is through direct contact with someone with monkeypox - but the overall risk to the UK population remains low, said Ruth Milton, senior medical advisor and monkeypox strategic response director at UKHSA.
The agency, which is offering a vaccine to close contacts of cases, has procured more than 20,000 doses of a smallpox vaccine made by Bavarian Nordic.
The smallpox and monkeypox viruses are closely related.
The UKHSA recommended healthcare staff working with confirmed and suspected cases wear personal protective equipment, including gowns, eye protection and gloves.
The vaccine will also be offered to healthcare workers involved in the care of patients with confirmed monkeypox and staff working in sexual health services who will assess suspected cases.
In settings such as adult social care, prisons and homeless shelters, patients should be managed in a single room with separate toilet facilities.
The risk of a case infecting a pet is low, the agency added.
(Reuters)
Clifford had previously pleaded guilty to the murders of BBC sports commentator John Hunt’s wife and two daughters at their home in northwest of London, in July 2024. (Photo: Hertfordshire Police /Handout via REUTERS)
Crossbow murderer found guilty of raping ex-girlfriend
A 26-YEAR-OLD man who murdered three women in a crossbow and stabbing attack has been found guilty of raping one of them, his ex-girlfriend, a British court ruled on Thursday.
Kyle Clifford had previously pleaded guilty to the murders of BBC sports commentator John Hunt’s wife and two daughters at their home in Bushey, northwest of London, in July 2024.
The attack led to a manhunt before Clifford was found injured hours later in a north London cemetery.
A jury at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday convicted Clifford of raping 25-year-old Louise Hunt before killing her.
His sentencing for all the crimes is scheduled for Tuesday.
Clifford had admitted to murdering Carol Hunt, 61, and her daughters Louise and Hannah, 28. He had also pleaded guilty to charges of false imprisonment and possessing offensive weapons but denied raping Louise.
During the trial, the court heard that after killing Carol Hunt, Clifford waited for an hour before attacking Louise, tying her up, raping her, and then killing her with a crossbow. He later killed Hannah when she returned home from work.
The prosecution described Clifford, a former soldier, as committing a "violent, sexual act of spite" and said he was "enraged" after Louise ended their 18-month relationship. They told the court that he had "carefully planned" the attack.
Less than 24 hours before the killings, Clifford had searched for a podcast by social media influencer Andrew Tate, according to the prosecution. They argued that the murders were driven by the "violent misogyny promoted" by Tate.
Justice Joel Bennathan called Clifford’s crimes "dreadful" and "almost unspeakable".
(With inputs from AFP)