As an Employer what should I be doing about Monkeypox in the UK?

Up to date how many people have been infected with Monkeypox?

Let’s take a look at the current statistics, so far, only a small number of people have been diagnosed with monkeypox in the UK. The latest cases bring the total number of cases confirmed in England up to 23 May 2022 of 70, with one case in Scotland taking the UK to 71. No cases have so far been identified in Wales or Northern Ireland.

 

 

What are the chances of catching Monkeypox in the UK?

You are highly unlikely to have monkeypox if:

• Where you have not recently travelled to west or central Africa
• Where you have not been in close contact with someone who has monkeypox (such as touching their skin or sharing bedding)

 

 

Are there things you can do to avoid getting Monkeypox?

As we have seen and although Monkeypox may be rare, there are things you can do to reduce the risk of getting it. According to NHS you should reduce the risk you should:

 

• Wash your hands with soap and water regularly or use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser
• Only eat meat that has been cooked thoroughly

 

The current advice is also that you should avoid:

• Going near wild or stray animals, including dead animals
• Stay away from animals that appear unwell
• do not eat or touch meat from wild animals (bushmeat)
• Avoid sharing bedding or towels with people who are unwell and have or are suspected to have Monkeypox
• Avoid close contact with people who are unwell and have or are suspected to have Monkeypox

 

 

How can you identify the symptoms of Monkeypox?

It is important that you recognise the symptoms if you or your Employees get infected with Monkeypox, (this is usually between five and twenty-one days for the first symptoms to appear).

The first symptoms of Monkeypox typically would include:

 

• High temperature
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Backache
• Swollen glands
• Shivering (chills)
• Exhaustion

 

A rash usually appears one to five days following the first symptoms, the rash normally begins on the face, it can then spread to other parts of the body. The rash can be sometimes confused with chickenpox. It starts as raised spots, which turn into small blisters that are filled with fluid. These blisters eventually form scabs which then will later fall off.

The symptoms of Monkeypox usually clear up in two to four weeks.

 

 

Do my Employees need to isolate when they have Monkeypox?

Monkeypox is rare and only a small number of people have been diagnosed with monkeypox in the UK.

Nevertheless, as monkeypox can spread if there is close contact, if anyone does become infected, they will need to be isolated if they are diagnosed with it.

They may also need to stay in a specialist hospital, this will be so the symptoms can be treated and to prevent the infection spreading to other people.

 

 

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