Close contacts of monkeypox cases ‘left in the dark’ as experts call for greater support

Close contacts of people infected with monkeypox have criticised health officials for a lack of communication and support while they have to isolate.

Public health experts and scientists have said the government needs to offer financial support to people forced to self-isolate for 21 days, as it emerged that one local council has already stepped in to provide sick pay for an infected man who could not work from home and was told he would not be paid.

With cases of monkeypox on the rise in the UK – 106 were infections detected as of Friday – it’s thought hundreds of people have been told to self-isolate since the beginning of May.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said it was providing daily calls for infected individuals and close contacts to offer support.

However, one man from Leicester, whose housemate contracted monkeypox after visiting Gran Canaria pride festival, described UKHSA’s handling of his case as a “farce”, saying he has waited days for instruction from officials.

“They couldn’t provide any meaningful or helpful information and nothing about housemates or close contacts,” the housemate told The Independent.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has meanwhile said countries should take quick steps to contain the spread of monkeypox and share data about their vaccine stockpiles.

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Source: The Independent, 29 May 2022