A case of monkeypox has been recorded in the UK, authorities have announced, after a patient contracted the virus in Nigeria.
The patient is now receiving specialist care in a hospital in London, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has said.
Although human-to-human transmission of the virus is rare, the UKHSA is working with the NHS to contact those that have been in close contact with the individual as a precaution.
Dr Colin Brown, Director of Clinical and Emerging Infections, UKHSA, said: “It is important to emphasise that monkeypox does not spread easily between people and the overall risk to the general public is very low.
“We are working with NHS England and NHS Improvement (NHSEI) to contact the individuals who have had close contact with the case prior to confirmation of their infection, to assess them as necessary and provide advice.
“UKHSA and the NHS have well established and robust infection control procedures for dealing with cases of imported infectious disease and these will be strictly followed.”
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