The World Health Organization (WHO) says the risk of monkeypox transmission in the UK is low, as a result of confirmed incidence of the rare and occasionally fatal animal-borne disease.
On May 7, the UK health authorities alerted WHO of a confirmed case of monkeypox in a person who had recently returned from Nigeria.
According to the WHO, the case arrived in Nigeria in late April and stayed in Lagos and Delta before developing a rash on April 29.
The passenger arrived in the United Kingdom on May 4 and was admitted to a hospital the same day. The traveller was promptly quarantined since monkeypox was suspected.
Extensive contact tracking has revealed people who were exposed in the community, in hospitals, and on overseas flights. So yet, no one has reported symptoms that are similar.
“The risk of onward transmission associated with this case in the United Kingdom is modest,” the UN agency stated on Monday.
“However, because the source of infection in Nigeria is unknown, there is a risk of continued transmission in Nigeria.”
On May 7, the case was reported to Nigerian authorities.
In Nigeria, the individual had no interaction with anyone who had a rash or was known to have monkeypox. Details regarding travel and relationships within the country have been supplied as well, in case further action is required.
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