Yahoo News Monkeypox news – live: Two more cases in Scotland as NI and Wales log first infections
Two further cases of monkeypox have been recorded in Scotland, officials have said. It brings the total number of infections north of the border to three.
Earlier today Northern Ireland and Wales recorded their first cases. The UK Health Security Agency said the risk to the general population remains low despite the rising number of infections.
Officials at the health body also said that they have secured more than 20,000 vaccines to treat monkeypox.
Imavanex, a smallpox vaccine, can also be used to treat monkeypox . The vaccine will be offered to identified close contacts of people diagnosed with monkeypox, the body added.
There are now believed to be 81 cases of monkeypox in the UK.
Monkeypox latest
Two further cases recorded in Scotland
Wales and NI record first cases
14 new cases recorded in England bringing UK total to 71
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At least 131 cases of monkeypox outside of Africa, WHO confirms
What is the difference between monkeypox and chickenpox?
Thursday 26 May 2022 19:45 , Matt Mathers
Although the two diseases share many symptoms, there are several key differences, Rebecca Thomas, our health correspondent, writes,
Read Rebecca’s full report here:
What is the difference between monkeypox and chickenpox?
Five bizarre monkeypox conspiracy theories debunked
Thursday 26 May 2022 18:45 , Matt Mathers
My colleague Thomas Kingsley debunks some conspiracies surrounding he monkeypox virus:
Five bizarre monkeypox conspiracy theories debunked
Where is monkeypox in the US?
Thursday 26 May 2022 18:00 , Matt Mathers
Monkeypox has now been detected in six US states, after health officials in Washington and California announced separately they were investigating suspected cases in two patients.
Which states is it in and where could it spread to?
My colleagues Gino Spocchia,Rachel Sharp,Bevan Hurley report:
ICYMI: Charities warn against stigmatisation of gay and bisexual groups amid outbreak
Thursday 26 May 2022 16:45 , Matt Mathers
Charities and campaign groups have warned against the stigmatisation of gay and bisexual people during the monkeypox outbreak.
To date, a total of 71 cases have been detected in the UK, a notable proportion of which have been identified among gay and bisexual men, according to the UK Health Security Agency.
Our senior news correspondent Samuel Lovett reports:
Charities warn against ‘lazy homophobic tropes’ amid monkeypox outbreak
Scotland cases being treated and risk remains low
Thursday 26 May 2022 15:52 , Matt Mathers
Public Health Scotland has confirmed the individuals are now receiving care and treatment and close contacts are being identified and provided with health information and vaccines where appropriate.
Dr Nick Phin, director of public health science and medical director at Public Health Scotland, said the risk to the public is low.
He added: "Public Health Scotland (PHS) is working with NHS boards and wider partners in Scotland and the UK to investigate the source of these infections.
"We have well-established and robust infection control procedures for dealing with such cases of infectious disease and these are being strictly followed.
"Anyone with an unusual blister-like rash or small number of blister-like sores on any part of their body, including their genital area, should avoid close contact with others and seek medical advice if they have any concerns."
Two further cases record in Scotland
Thursday 26 May 2022 15:37 , Matt Mathers
Two further cases of monkeypox have been recorded in Scotland, officials have said.
It brings the total number of infections north of the border to three.
Wales and Northern Ireland recorded registered their first cases earlier today.
Recap: Signs and symptoms of Monkeypox
Thursday 26 May 2022 15:30 , Matt Mathers
What are the signs and symptoms of Monkeypox and what should you look out for?
My colleague Joe Sommerlad reports:
Signs and symptoms of Monkeypox: What to look for and how it spreads
Our video team has also put together this short video clips explaining everything you need to know:
Two further cases recorded in Scotland
Thursday 26 May 2022 15:29 , Matt Mathers
Two further cases of Monkeypox have been recorded in Scotland, officials said.
It brings the total number of infection loggeed north of the border to three.
Wales and Northern Ireland registered their first cases earlier today.
Virologist Dr Sarah Pitt to answer your questions
Thursday 26 May 2022 15:11 , Matt Mathers
A reminder that virologist Dr Sarah Pitt is answering your questions on the monkeypox virus.
Pop your questions in the comments section of the article below and Dr Pitt will answer as many as she can:
Got questions about monkeypox? Submit your questions to an expert
Africa CDC warns against monkeypox vaccine hoarding
Thursday 26 May 2022 15:00 , Matt Mathers
The acting director of Africa’s top public health agency said on Thursday that he hoped vaccine hoarding, as seen by wealthier nations during the Covid pandemic, would not be repeated with the current monkeypox outbreak.
Monkeypox, a usually mild viral infection, is endemic in the African countries of Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo and Nigeria and now spreading throughout the rest of the world.
“Vaccines should go to where it is needed the most and equitably, so based on risk, and not on who can be able to buy it,” Ahmed Ogwell Ouma, acting director of the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, told a weekly press briefing on Thursday.
“We are working with all our member states on the continent to step up surveillance for monkeypox,” he said.
Swiss drug-maker develops monkeypox testing kits
Thursday 26 May 2022 14:34 , Matt Mathers
Swiss drugmaker Roche said on Wednesday the company and its unit have developed three test kits to detect the monkeypox virus, as the disease spreads in regions outside Africa, where the virus is not normally found.
There have been more than 200 suspected or confirmed cases in Europe and North America of monkeypox, according to the World Health Organisation.
The firm said one of the three LightMix Modular Virus kits detects orthopoxviruses, the biological grouping which includes viruses associated with monkeypox as well as smallpox and cowpox.
Spain to buy monkeypox vaccine
Thursday 26 May 2022 14:05 , Matt Mathers
Spain has said it will buy up supplies for a monkeypox vaccine as the number of cases in the country reached 55.
Health Minister Carolina Darias said the government would purchase Imvanex vaccine, which is made by the Danish company Bavarian Nordic , but she did not specify the number of doses.
The UK earlier said it had procured doses of the shot, which is also used to treat smallpox.
Monkeypox: Scientists find potential antiviral treatment
Thursday 26 May 2022 13:30 , Matt Mathers
Scientists have found a potential antiviral treatment for monkeypox, though they said the disease remains a far less significant risk than Covid.
New research into past outbreaks of monkeypox in the UK identified a patient who had shortened symptoms after being treated with one of two antivirals designed for smallpox.
Our health correspondent Rebecca Thomas has the story:
Scientists find potential antiviral treatment for monkeypox
Reminder: Virologist Dr Sarah Pitt to answer your questions
Thursday 26 May 2022 13:00 , Matt Mathers
Got questions about monkeypox? Take part in our ‘Ask Me Anything’ with an expert.
Dr Sarah Pitt, a virologist at the University of Brighton and Fellow of the Institute of Biomedical Science, will be on hand to answer Independent reader questions at an ‘Ask Me Anything’ event on Thursday 26 May.
It starts at 3pm today - put your questions in the comments box at the bottom of the article below and Dr Pitt will do her best to answer as many as possible.
Got questions about monkeypox? Submit your questions to an expert
Spain's monkeypox case tally rises to 84, health ministry says
Thursday 26 May 2022 12:31 , Matt Mathers
Spanish health authorities reported 25 new cases of monkeypox on Thursday, bringing the total tally of infections in one of the main hotspots of the recent outbreak to 84.
The health ministry, which now considers all non-human-origin pox infections as monkeypox after a positive test while before only counting those confirmed by sequencing, also said there were 73 suspected cases.
Minister of health Carolina Darias on Wednesday said Spain would buy monkeypox vaccines as part of the EU joint vaccine purchases and confirmed that the west African strain, which has a fatality rate in about 1 per cent of cases, was the one detected in Spain.
Spain, England and Portugal are the countries with the most cases in the recent outbreak of the usually mild viral disease outside its endemic areas in parts of west and central Africa.
Which countries have confirmed monkeypox cases?
Thursday 26 May 2022 11:55 , Matt Mathers
Below is a list of countries that have so far reported suspected or confirmed cases.
ASIA-PACIFIC
* AUSTRALIA on May 20 reported its first case in a traveller who recently returned from Britain. Another suspected case was also identified.
EUROPE
* AUSTRIA confirmed its first case on May 22.
* BELGIUM detected two cases on May 20.
* CZECH REPUBLIC detected its first case on May 24.
* DENMARK confirmed a second case on May 24, a day after the first.
* FINLAND discovered a "highly likely" first case, Helsinki hospital district said on May 25.
* FRANCE’s number of confirmed cases rose to five on May 25.
* GERMANY has confirmed three cases, with the first registered on May 20.
* ITALY has confirmed six cases by May 25. It detected its first case on May 19.
* The NETHERLANDS reported its first case on May 20. It has since confirmed "several" more patients, without stating the exact number.
* PORTUGAL reported 10 new confirmed cases on May 25, bringing the total to 49.
* SLOVENIA confirmed its first case on May 24.
* SPAIN confirmed seven new cases on May 25, bringing the country’s total to 55.
* SWEDEN confirmed its first case on May 19.
* SWITZERLAND reported its first confirmed case on May 21.
* The UNITED KINGDOM detected 14 new cases in England on May 24, taking the total of identified cases to 70.
MIDDLE EAST
* ISRAEL confirmed its first case on May 21.
* The UNITED ARAB EMIRATES detected its first case on May 24, state news agency WAM reported.
AMERICAS
* ARGENTINA reported its first suspected case on May 23. No cases are yet confirmed in South America.
* CANADA has confirmed 15 infections in the Quebec province as of May 24. The province’s health department said more cases from other parts of the country were expected.
* The UNITED STATES has confirmed two cases, the first on May 18. A third case is suspected as of May 23.
Northern Ireland records first case of monkeypox
Thursday 26 May 2022 11:13 , Matt Mathers
Northern Ireland has recorded its first case of monkeypox, officials have said.
The Public Health Agency of Northern Ireland made the announcement on Thursday morning.
The body added that it wanted to "ensure that we are fully prepared for any potential risk to the population".
UK secures 20,000 doses of smallpox vaccine
Thursday 26 May 2022 10:40 , Matt Mathers
The UK has secured more than 20,000 doses of a safe smallpox vaccine.
The Health Security Agency said on Thursday it had procured a shot called Imvanex.
It said the move was “part of our rapid resopne” to rising monkeypox cases in the UK.
Monkeypox ‘doesn't usually spread easily,’ says Welsh official
Thursday 26 May 2022 10:20 , Lamiat Sabin
A health official in Wales has stressed that the monkeypox virus does not spread easily, after the country reported its first case.
Dr Giri Shankar, director of health protection for Public Health Wales, said: “The case is being managed appropriately. To protect patient confidentiality, no further details relating to the patient will be disclosed.”
He added: “We are reassuring people that monkeypox does not usually spread easily between people, and the overall risk to the general public is low.
“It is usually a mild self-limiting illness, and most people recover within a few weeks. However, severe illness can occur in some individuals.”
Wales reports its first case of monkeypox
Thursday 26 May 2022 09:52 , Lamiat Sabin
The first case of monkeypox has been identified in Wales, bringing the UK total to 79.
Read the full story here by Samuel Lovett
First monkeypox case found in Wales
Washington and California report suspected monkeypox cases as US outbreak widens
Tuesday 24 May 2022 19:22 , Chris Baynes
Health officials in California and Washington state say they have detected suspected Monkeypox cases in two patients who recently returned from travelling overseas.
An infection was reported in Sacramento County, California, on Tuesday, the sixth US state to report a case.
On Monday evening, officials in King County, Washington, said a man had registered a positive test to the family of viruses that monkeypox belongs to.
Bevan Hurley has more details:
Washington and California report suspected Monkeypox cases as US outbreak widens
Monkeypox: Virologist Dr Sarah Pitt to answer your questions
Tuesday 24 May 2022 18:25 , Chris Baynes
Got questions about monkeypox? The Independent will host an ‘Ask Me Anything’ with an expert this week to provide some answers.
Dr Sarah Pitt, a virologist at the University of Brighton, will be on hand to answer reader questions at on Thursday.
Follow the link below for more details and to register to submit your question.
Got questions about monkeypox? Submit your questions to an expert
We’ll be back
Tuesday 24 May 2022 16:36 , Thomas Kingsley
We’re pausing our coverage for a moment and will return with live updates shortly.
Bizarre theory accusing US of creating virus in lab goes viral on Chinese social media
Tuesday 24 May 2022 16:25 , Thomas Kingsley
A baseless conspiracy theory blaming the US for creating monkeypox in a lab is spreading on Chinese social media amid the global outbreak of the disease.
Conversations about monkeypox have trended on the Weibo social messaging platform for multiple days in a row, with more than 51m views on a hashtag about two suspect US cases.
Some of the discussion seen on Weibo has also reportedly pointed to conspiracy theories about the origins of monkeypox, which is usually found in central and west Africa.
Read the full story below:
Conspiracy about US monkeypox lab goes viral on Chinese social media
Watch: 21-day quarantine for Monkeypox, says German health expert
Tuesday 24 May 2022 16:15 , Thomas Kingsley
NEW: Washington becomes fifth US state to report suspected Monkeypox case
Tuesday 24 May 2022 15:50 , Thomas Kingsley
Health officials in Washington state say they have detected a suspected Monkeypox case in a man who recently returned from travelling overseas.
Officials in King County, which covers Seattle, say the man did not require hospitalisation and is isolating at home.
Washington is the fifth US state to report a confirmed or suspected case of the Monkeypox virus.
Read the full report below:
Washington becomes fifth US state to report suspected Monkeypox case
BREAKING: 14 new cases identified in England bringing total to 70
Tuesday 24 May 2022 15:43 , Thomas Kingsley
A 14 further monkeypox cases have been identified in England, bringing the nationwide total to 70, health officials say.
Despite further cases being detected, the risk to the UK population remains low, the UK Health Security Agency said.
As of 23 May, no cases have so far been identified in Wales or Northern Ireland. One infection has been detected in Scotland.
In total, 71 cases of the rare viral infection have been reported across the UK.
Read the full story below:
ICYMI: World ‘cannot take eye off the ball’ over infectious diseases, Oxford vaccine chief warns
Tuesday 24 May 2022 15:30 , Thomas Kingsley
The world cannot take its “eye off the ball” in preparing for the next pandemic, a leading scientist behind the Oxford jab has warned as the latest monkeypox outbreak continues to spread.
Professor Sir Andrew Pollard, director of the Oxford Vaccine Group, insisted the rise in monkeypox infections “really isn't a Covid-like scenario,” but said it was yet another reminder of the need to invest in pandemic preparedness and vaccine development for infectious diseases.
The failure to do so “really puts the human population at risk,” he told The Independent, adding that future diseases which go on to spread throughout the world could be much more deadly than Covid-19 or monkeypox.
Read the full report from our science correspondent, Sam Lovett:
World ‘cannot take eye off the ball’ over infectious diseases as monkeypox spreads
Watch: Does the UK have monkeypox vaccines?
Tuesday 24 May 2022 15:10 , Thomas Kingsley
Germany orders 40,000 vaccine doses as precaution against monkeypox spread
Tuesday 24 May 2022 14:50 , Thomas Kingsley
Germany has ordered 40,000 doses of a Bavarian Nordic (BAVA.CO) vaccine to be ready to vaccinate contacts of those infected with monkeypox if an outbreak in Germany becomes more severe, but officials are banking on other precautionary measures for now.
Speaking at a press conference, German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach said on Tuesday that measures such as an isolation period of at least 21 days recommended for infected people would suffice for now to contain the outbreak.
"If infections spread further we will want to be prepared for possible ring vaccinations that are not yet recommended at this point but might become necessary," said Mr Lauterbach, referring to the strategy of vaccinating contacts of an infected person.
