Monkeypox | Key facts

• Monkeypox is a rare disease affecting people in the tropical rainforests of central and west Africa
• It is similar to smallpox although not as deadly
• The virus is transmitted from various wild animals such as the rope squirrel or sooty mangabey but can also be spread between humans
• The disease is not highly infectious and only those who have been in close contact with a patient, such as a health care worker or family member, are at risk
• The disease begins with a fever and then a rash spreads over the body, mainly to the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. It also affects the eyes and can lead to blindness
• Most people recover within three weeks but up to 10 per cent of those affected die
• There is no treatment or vaccine available although a smallpox vaccine is currently being trialled

PHE has contacted 50 people it considers to be at risk, including those sitting closest to the patient on the flight from Abuja to Heathrow on Sunday September 2.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said “all necessary steps” were being taken but that no other personnel had developed symptoms.

The initial symptoms of monkeypox include fever, headache, muscle aches, backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills and exhaustion.

A painful rash with open sores can develop, often beginning on the face, then spreading to other parts of the body.

The rash changes and goes through different stages before finally forming a scab, which later falls off. If the disease infects the eye it can lead to scarring of the cornea and, in some cases, blindness.

Dr Michael Jacobs, clinical director of infection at the Royal Free said: “Monkeypox is, in most cases, a mild condition which will resolve on its own and have no long-term effects on a person’s health. Most people recover within several weeks.