Softly, Softly Catchee Humans?

Monkeypox is a viral disease, first identified in Rhesus monkeys (although it also occurs in rodents). Monkeypox infections of humans, produce a fever and skin lesions, not unlike those associated with chickenpox. Prior to 2022, the UK had only seen occassional, sporadic cases of human Monkeypox (a total of 7 from 2018 to 2021). All these cases, were linked to travel to Nigeria, where the virus is endemic. The situation has changed this year (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/may/20/now-we-have-to-deal-with-it-whats-going-on-in-the-uk-with-monkeypox). In Britain (and other parts of the world), chains of transmission in communities have been noted. These often involve people with no known travel links. Consequently, human-to-human transmission must be occurring. Thus far, in 2022, the UK has had 20 cases. More than 100 known or suspected cases are also currently being investigated in Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the USA. All involve the milder west African strain of the virus. Human-to-human transmission of Monkeypox occurs either by the exchange of large respiratory droplets in prolonged face-to-face contact or by direct contact with body fluids. There has been a high incidence of Monkeypox in men visiting UK Sexual Health Clinics (shades of the early stages of the AIDS outbreak?). There is concern about the health of care workers in these clinics. They have been urged to routinuely use personal protective equipment (PPE). Some have been offered Imvanex. Imvanex is a Smallpox vaccine, giving some protection against Monkeypox. Monkeypox is yet another example of a zoonosis (a disease that can jump from wild animals to humans). It is, of course, a very minor problem, compared to Covid19. It should reminds us, however, that there a lots of viruses out there, that can make a jump. Humans are very rewarding viral hosts.