Medics must alert health authorities to monkeypox cases by law

✔ Fact Checked by TDPel News Desk

By Pelumi Emmanuel

Published: June 7, 2022 | 5:20 PM GMT

In Mexico City, a suspected child predator who had eluded Dutch officials was apprehended.

After cops approached him outside a train station on Sunday, Nelson Maatman, 27, was captured without incident.

According to the Attorney General’s Office in Mexico City, he had a firearm, cocaine, and electronic devices with child pornography.

Authorities issued a search warrant at Maatman’s home in the Gustavo A. Madero neighborhood and discovered child pornography-related smartphones, USB memory sticks, laptops, and hard drives.

The UK has logged 302 infections, the most out of any other country, followed by Spain (190), Portugal (143), Canada (80) and Germany (66)

This new legislation will support us and our health partners to swiftly identify, treat and control the disease.

‘It also supports us with the swift collection and analysis of data which enables us to detect possible outbreaks of the disease and trace close contacts rapidly, whilst offering vaccinations where appropriate to limit onward transmission.’

David Heymann, professor of infectious disease epidemiology at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), said: ‘Making monkeypox a notifiable disease suggests a desire to be sure to have reporting from all sectors (public and private) and all parts of the NHS.

‘It suggests the Government wants to focus surveillance on the entire population – not only on the risk groups identified so far.

‘This will permit clear identification of all risk groups and help better understand the epidemiology and extent of spread.’

Making monkeypox a notifiable disease will also help businesses who could suffer financial losses from the outbreak.

The same move was made for Covid before the first lockdown.

Officials said at the time it would ‘help companies seek compensation through their insurance policies in the event of any cancellations that they may have to make as a result of the spread of the virus’.

There are now 34 diseases that are currently notifiable, including rabies, whooping cough and measles.

A large proportion of cases so far have been identified in the gay, bisexual and men who have sex with other men community.

Monkeypox is not normally a sexually-transmitted infection, but it can be passed on by direct contact during sex.

It can also be spread through touching clothing, bedding or towels used by someone with the monkeypox rash.

According to the UKHSA, monkeypox does not usually spread easily between people and the overall risk to the UK population remains low.

Anyone with unusual rashes or lesions on any part of their body, especially their genitalia, should contact NHS 111 or call a sexual health service if they have concerns, it said.

The disease is usually mild but can cause severe illness in some cases.

Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills and exhaustion.

A rash can develop, often beginning on the face, which then spreads to other parts of the body including the genitals.

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About Pelumi Emmanuel

Pelumi Emmanuel is an accomplished writer and journalist with over 15 years of experience in the industry. He is a passionate and dedicated professional who is committed to producing high-quality content that informs, engages, and entertains readers. Pelumi’s love for reading and writing is evident in his work, which has been read worldwide and has garnered him a loyal following. His journalistic expertise is matched only by his natural talent for storytelling, making his articles both informative and engaging. He lives in California, USA.