London: Monkeypox has been spreading in a number of countries, especially in Europe and North America, over the last three-four weeks.
The World Health Organization (WHO) advised the world to ramp up surveillance for the infectious disease, but is of the opinion that it’s unlikely to turn into a pandemic.
The most affected country is United Kingdom, where more than 300 confirmed cases have been reported thus far.
Concerned with the growing numbers, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has designated monkeypox as a ‘notifiable infectious disease’.
Doctors in England will now have to notify local authorities when they suspect a patient to have contracted the monkeypox virus.
“Rapid diagnosis and reporting is the key to interrupting transmission and containing any further spread of monkeypox. This new legislation will support us and our health partners to swiftly identify, treat and control the disease,” said Wendi Shepherd, monkeypox incident director at UKHSA, Reuters reported.
Over 700 cases of monkeypox virus have been detected in around 25 countries. According to WHO, the virus is known to spread when there is close contact with an infected person.
Canada, another country where the virus has been detected, has issued a monkeypox-related travel advisory notice in which travellers from 25-odd countries — including Australia, Britain, and the US – have been directed to take precautions.
India is yet to report a monkeypox case. A five-year-old from Ghaziabad was suspected to have contracted the virus, but tested negative on Tuesday. The child had complained of itching and rashes all over his body.
