Families should stay away from their loved ones if they get monkeypox – under new social distancing rules
FAMILIES have been urged to stay away from their loved ones if they have monkeypox, new guidance states.
As cases of the bug continue to rise - Brits now have to stay one metre apart from those who are infected.
The most recent data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) states that there are 321 cases of the bug in the UK after a further 18 cases were detected yesterday.
Where possible, experts have urged people to sleep in separate rooms and use separate bathrooms.
If this isn't possible, cases should avoid physical contact and keep at least three steps or one metre away from all household members.
It is particularly important, they said, that infected persons stay away from any pregnant members of the household, young children and those who are immunosuppressed.
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This is because anyone in the above groups could be at risk of serious illness.
Other guidance states that you should keep laundry separate from other households and avoid close contacts with pets.
Anyone can get monkeypox - particularly if you have had close contact, including sexual contact, with an individual with symptoms.
Before mixing once more after infection, cases must:
- check they haven't had a high temperature for 72 hours
- make sure any lesions have scabbed over
- check scabs on the arms, face and hands have fallen off and a fresh layer of skin has formed
- make sure no new lesions have formed in 48 hours
- check for lesions in the mouth.
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There are currently 305 confirmed cases in England, 11 in Scotland, 2 in Northern Ireland and 3 in Wales.
People who are gay or bisexual and men who have sex with men remain disproportionately affected.
You should also get checked if you have been in close contact, including sexual contact, with someone who has or might have monkeypox (even if they’ve not been tested yet) in the past 3 weeks.
The same applies if you have been to West or Central African in the past three weeks.
Doctors have urged people to visit a sexual health clinic if you have a rash or blisters.
The signs of monkeypox you need to know
Experts at the UK Health Security Agency have said all Brits should be on the look out for key signs and symptoms.
The signs may include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Backache
- Chills
- Exhaustion
- Night sweats
- Cold-like symptoms, such as congestion and runny nose
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Swollen groin
- Rash
Medics said that complications of the illness were documented as:
- low mood
- severe pain
- conjunctivitis
Dr Susan Hopkins, Chief Medical Advisor at UKHSA said: “Self-isolation is an important measure for protecting others from Monkeypox.
“Staying at home and doing all we can to avoid close contact with other people in the household will prevent the spread of this virus.
“We know that self-isolation is not easy for some so it’s important that people ask for support if needed.”
Earlier this week it was announced that doctors will now have to inform local councils and health protection agencies if cases are detected.
It means that monkeypox will be designated a notifiable disease under the Health Protection (Notification) Regulations 2010.
Other illnesses that also fall under this legislation include Covid-19, the Plague, acute meningitis, measles and smallpox.
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Labs must also inform the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) if a case is detected in samples.
If monkeypox is suspected, medics must tell the correct authorities within three days or within 24 hours for urgent cases.