Some of the country’s top disease experts warned that monkeypox would fill the void left by smallpox three years ago, it has emerged.
Scientists from leading institutions including the University of Cambridge and the London School of Tropical Hygiene and Medicine argued the viral disease would evolve to fill the ‘niche’ left behind after smallpox was eradicated.
It comes as it has emerged a child is in hospital among the 20 confirmed cases of monkeypox in the UK.
The rare viral infection which people usually pick up in the tropical areas of west and central Africa can be transmitted by very close contact with an infected person.
Monkeypox is usually mild, with most patients recovering within a few weeks without treatment.
Yet, the disease can prove fatal with the strain causing the current outbreak killing one in 100 infected.
The country’s top disease experts warned that monkeypox would fill the void left by smallpox three years ago, it has emerged. Pictured: London School…
