Monkeypox could have been spreading across Europe undetected for two years

Test tubes labelled "Monkeypox virus positive and negative". Reuters

Monkeypox may have been spreading across Europe undetected for two years, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said, amid fears it could take months to “stamp out” the virus in the UK.

At a briefing on Wednesday, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the head of the WHO, said the explosion in cases suggested the virus was spreading under the radar before health authorities noticed it.

“Investigations are ongoing, but the sudden appearance of monkeypox in many countries at the same time suggests there may have been undetected transmission for some time,” Dr Tedros said. “We expect that more cases will continue to be found.”

Dr Rosamund Lewis, the head of the WHO’s smallpox team, added that the rapidly mounting case numbers were “clearly a cause for concern”. A team at global.health has tracked close to 750 confirmed and suspected infections in more than 30 countries in the last month.

“It does suggest that there may have been undetected transmission for a while,” said Dr Lewis. “We don’t know if that’s weeks, months or possibly a couple of years.”

Six additional cases were reported in the UK on Wednesday, taking the total to 196 since early May.

In the first breakdown of these infections, the UK Health Security Agency said London is the epicentre of the outbreak. Of 153 cases where the address is known, 86 per cent are residents of the capital.

The epidemiological report added that 87 per cent of patients are aged between 20 and 49, while 111 are known to be gay, bisexual or other men who have sex with men. Only two women have so far been diagnosed with monkeypox.

“Investigations to date have identified links to gay bars, saunas and the use of dating apps in the UK and abroad,” the UKHSA said, adding that around a fifth of cases reported foreign travel within 21 days of developing symptoms.

“Investigations continue, but currently no single factor or exposure that links the cases has been identified.”

‘Seek advice immediately’
Meanwhile, experts from the Government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) warned that it could take months to curb the outbreak in Britain.

“You’re not going to get rid of it overnight,” Prof John Edmunds, a Sage member and epidemiologist at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, told The Independent. “It’s going to take a good couple of months of really solid work to chase up all the infections and contacts and stamp it out.”

So far, the majority of cases have been linked to men who have sex with men, but Dr Tedros urged countries to “widen their surveillance” to ensure they do not miss cases in the broader community.

Prof Kevin Fenton, the London regional director for public health added: “Monkeypox can affect anyone, but we know that many of the most recent diagnoses are in gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, many of whom live in or have links to London.

“We’re reminding everyone of the symptoms of monkeypox, and especially gay and bisexual men in particular, to be especially aware and seek advice immediately by calling NHS111 or their local sexual health clinic if they have concerns.”



PUKmedia/The Telegraph