Haven’t we all had enough of viruses? Even I am getting a little fed up of them, and I love the damn things. So when news comes out of yet another weird virus taking a hold in London (and Newcastle!), I’m wondering if we could actually just have a few months when nothing microbiologically odd occurs.
Please.
This outbreak is currently sitting at 7 known cases. At least one case is known to have travelled from Nigeria recently, and the most recent four are all in men who self-identify as gay, bisexual or other men who have sex with men (MSM). That the authorities are considering sexual transmission as a route of infection is quite something, given that that’s never been described before.
Anyone with concerns that they could be infected with monkeypox is advised to make contact with clinics ahead of their visit. We can assure them their call or discussion will be treated sensitively and confidentially.
Monkeypox doesn’t spread well in humans, and the UKHSA seems to be well on top of things, so it’s highly unlikely that we will be facing a new pandemic because of this, but honestly, what has the virological world got in store for us next?