Four more people have been diagnosed with monkeypox in the UK, bringing the total number of cases in the latest outbreak to seven.
All four of the new patients are gay or bisexual men from London with no apparent travel links to Africa, where the virus is endemic.
They are not connected to the previous cases but two of the new patients are known to each other, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said.
All seven of the UK cases have tested positive for the West African strain of the virus, which is believed to be milder than other versions.
Exactly how the new patients acquired the infection ‘remains under urgent investigation’, the UKHSA said.
Nurses and doctors are being advised to stay ‘alert’ to patients who present with a new rash.
MailOnline has learned that at least one sexual health clinic in West London had started implementing tougher infection control measures this morning, including a one-metre social distancing rule in waiting rooms.
Monkeypox is often mistaken for more…
