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 that Mpox belongs to the same virus family as smallpox, which he noted was a "major killer with 30 per cent mortality", but he assured viewers that "this is nothing like that". He warned that the disease is contagious through physical contact, including sexual contact or touching contaminated clothing or bedding.
"Because if they've got blisters which are exuding the virus, then it's very transmissible," he said. "Also very close contact with somebody through the air, if they're coughing or sneezing, then that can cause spread as well." Symptoms to watch out for include itchy, sore pustules that begin on the face and spread, "similar to chicken pox" but more virulent and dangerous.
Other signs include fever, headaches, muscle aches, joint pains, and swollen glands, which may present up to five days before the rash appears. To prevent the spread of the disease, "the first thing to do is for everybody to regularly wash their hands in soap and water," he advised. For those who are sexually active, being aware of the symptoms is crucial, and vaccination should be considered.
"If you've been in close contact with somebody with proven Mpox then clearly you need to report that and get a vaccination yourself," he said, adding that being within a metre of someone who had it "is high risk." The UK has been put on alert over the spread of the Mpox virus and available preventative measures include vaccines and rapid testing for healthcare workers at risk of exposure. Pat McFadden, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, had discussions with chief medical officer Chris Whitty, health ministers and officials from the Foreign Office on Monday to ensure sufficient plans are in place to deal with any potential cases," Downing Street said.
Vaccinations against Mpox using a smallpox vaccine, which proved effective after a 2022 outbreak of another strain, are being offered in London and Manchester for those eligible, the NHS said. The European Union's Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has recommended vaccinations for travellers headed to 16 African nations where the new clade 1b variant is widespread. Clade 1b initially surfaced in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where significant outbreaks have seen over 16,000 cases and more than 500 fatalities in 2024.
Nations surrounding DRC, including the Republic of the Congo, Central African Republic, and more recently Rwanda, Uganda, and Burundi, have confirmed Mpox cases. For the latest health and Covid news, sign up to our newsletter here.
