Human-to-human transmission can result from close contact with the skin lesions of an infected person, or objects recently contaminated by the patient.
It spreads between humans only through close contact. In Africa, human infections have been documented through the handling of infected monkeys, Gambian giant rats and squirrels. It primarily occurs in remote parts of central and west Africa, near tropical rain forests. This particular virus is a rare zoonosis, this means that it is transmitted to humans from an animal. It's very possible that somebody with the monkeypox rash on their hands or genitals spread it to someone else through physical touch. "The NHS is working closely with UKHSA to ensure the small number of people identified are treated in line with their guidance."īut he said there was unlikely to be widespread transmission of the virus, and the outbreak might be traceable to a single infection. "Patients have to be kept in the specialist unit to avoid the spread."Īn NHS spokesperson said: "The NHS has tried and tested plans in place for treating sporadic cases of infectious diseases, such as monkeypox, through a network of highly specialised centres providing expert care. He said: "The concern is that in the 2018 outbreak, the case infected a health worker and that was thought to be while they were changing the bedding because the flakes from their scabs were spread. Professor Paul Hunter, an infectious disease expert at the University of East Anglia said the number of beds available depends on how many cases would need that level of care. Number 10 is 'keeping an eye' on the situation - but travel restrictions have been ruled out. It's unclear whether the HCID units were kept following the pandemic, with many centres having being closed.Īround 57 Brits have the illness, with more cases having been announced yesterday. Now sources say there are only 50 beds and many people will have to quarantine at home, the MailOnline reported.Įxperts said there is 'always a risk beds will run out', especially if the situation 'deteriorates further'. Guidance from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) states that all confirmed cases need to be transferred to high consequence infectious disease (HCID) units if they need hospital care.īut just 15 beds are believed to have existed before Covid- with the spread of the virus ramping up capacity.