The British Health Security Agency reported today (Saturday) on a rare case of infection with the monkey pox virus. The patient, who allegedly contracted the infectious disease during a trip to Nigeria, is currently being treated by specialist doctors in the Infectious Diseases Unit at one of London’s hospitals.
Director of Clinical Infections at the Agency, Dr. Colin Brown, Said that “although the disease can be spread through close contact between humans, there is a very low risk of infection in the community.” Dr. Brown added that “We are working on contacting people who have been in contact with the infected person, to provide them with advice in case they become infected. The agency has control procedures for dealing with similar cases, and they are carried out strictly. “
The disease is a rare viral infection, similar to smallpox and appears to have become extinct in 1980. Although the symptoms of monkey pox are much milder than smallpox and most infected people recover within a few weeks, it can rarely be fatal. The first case of the disease in the UK, was documented in September 2018, and even then by a person infected with Nigeria. Initial symptoms can include headaches, back pain, swollen lymph nodes and fatigue.