MONKEYPOX cases have risen again in the UK as scientists identify new, painful symptoms.
Up to July 28 there have been 2,469 confirmed cases of the bug, new data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has revealed.
On top of that, there are also 77 highly probable infections, bringing the total to 2,546.
London is still being hit hard by the outbreak and has 1,778 of the infections – up from 1,699 earlier this week.
It's followed by the South East where there are 204 cases and the North West, where there is 126.
The East of England has 99, the West Midlands, 69, the South West, 47, Yorkshire and the Humber, 44, East Midlands 31 and the North East has 26.
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Prof Paul Hunter, Professor in Medicine, UEA said: "Although the total number of confirmed cases of monkeypox in England are continuing to rise the number of new cases being reported in each week does now appear to be falling.
"But there is a long way to go before we can relax as the risk of another surge in cases remains.”
The rise in cases comes as a new study published by the British Medical Journal (BMJ) revealed those catching the bug aren't displaying typical symptoms.
Anus pain and swelling of the penis are some of the new signs patients are suffering with during this global epidemic of monkeypox.
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They were not reported in previous outbreaks of the virus which occurred primarily in central and west Africa.
Authors of the study, said the new findings confirm the “unprecedented community transmission of monkeypox virus among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men seen in the UK and many other non-endemic countries”.
The majority of the cases, about 98 percent, have been among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, the World Health Organization has previously said.
'CHECK YOURSELF'
The WHO this week advised men at risk of catching monkeypox to consider "reducing the number of sexual partners" momentarily.
Dr Sophia Makki, National Incident Director at UKHSA, warned people to check for symptoms of monkeypox – namely a rash or blisters on the skin – before having sex.
Close physical contact enables the virus to spread, hence why people are picking it up through sexual activity.
But it is not defined as a sexually tramismitted disease.
People can also catch monkeypox from an infected person’s bed sheets or towels, or from their coughs or sneezes.
Dr Makki said: “Monkeypox cases continue to rise, with the virus being passed on predominantly in interconnected sexual networks.
“Before you have sex, go to a party or event, check yourself for monkeypox symptoms, including rashes and blisters.
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“If you have monkeypox symptoms, take a break from attending events or sex until you’ve called 111 or a sexual health service and been assessed by a clinician.”
The UKHSA previously warned that monkeypox patients should use condoms for 12 weeks after they’ve had the bug.
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