WHO says coordinating with UK over monkeypox outbreak

After British authorities discovered at least seven cases of monkeypox this month, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced Tuesday it was cooperating with the UK and other European health officials.

Some of these infections may be transmitted through sexual contact — in this case, among gay or bisexual men — according to health officials, which would be a new breakthrough in understanding the virus’s transmission.

Monkeypox causes lesions, fever, muscle aches, and chills in humans. It is endemic in portions of Central and Western Africa.

Close contact with infected animals, such as rodents and monkeys, is the most common mode of transmission, while transmission between people is rare. Only a few people have died as a result of it.

After registering three cases earlier in May, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) announced Monday that it has discovered four new cases — three in London and one related case in Newcastle, northeast England.

According to the UKHSA, all four of the extra instances involved men who have sex with men or identify as gay or bisexual.

None of the three previously confirmed cases have been related to travel from Nigeria, according to the statement.

According to the agency, those who require medical attention are being treated in specialised infectious illness departments at hospitals in London and Newcastle.

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The WHO announced in a press conference on Tuesday that one “new likely” case had been identified in the United Kingdom.

“We’re seeing transmission among males having sex with men,” said Ibrahima Soce Fall, WHO’s assistant director-general for emergency response.

“It’s new information that we need to dig deeper into to better understand the dynamics of local transmission in the UK and other nations.”

Another WHO official, Maria Van Kerkhove, said the organisation was trying to better understand the outbreak with its regional office, as well as the European Centers for Disease Control and the UKHSA.

“We’re working closely with [them] to assess each of these instances and determine the source of infection,” she added.

“Forward contact tracking to verify that there is no further human-to-human transmission, as well as back contact tracing to better understand,” Van Kerkhove said.