Health chiefs are sounding the alarm over the spread of Mpox, previously known as monkeypox, following the World Health Organization's declaration of a global health emergency. Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty convened an urgent meeting with health experts yesterday in light of the WHO's announcement. NHS GP Dr Hilary Jones today (Tuesday, August 20) outlined the steps being taken to safeguard the British public as the disease continues to affect Africa, suggesting that it might have already made its way to the UK.
Speaking on ITV's Lorraine, Dr Hilary raised the possibility of the disease being present in the country, despite no confirmed cases at this time. "Experts fear that we might be any time seeing our first case because the incubation period is quite long," he said. "It's already in 13 African countries and with international travel on aeroplanes - and symptoms not showing themselves for up to three weeks after exposure - it is possible there may be someone here in the UK who may be incubating the disease.
" Join our WhatsApp news community here for the latest breaking news READ MORE: Not doing this one thing before putting on makeup could lead to blindness, optometrist warns READ MORE: The worst place to store eggs in your fridge and why it's a health risk He said that the UK has pre-emptively stockpiled vaccines "just in case" and that discussions were held yesterday about the necessity "to take precautions", reports Nottinghamshire Live . Dr Hilary also clarified .