A public health expert has warned that education and childcare staff must be better prepared to prevent the spread of monkeypox as Scottish cases rise to almost 70.
Professor Devi Sridhar called for guidance to be issued on preventing monkeypox in daycares and schools after it was reported that a daycare worker in the United States may have exposed children to the virus.
“Monkey pox is transmitted by close skin-to-skin contact,” Professor Sridhar posted on Twitter. “This is just basic prevention. I don’t think anyone wants their child to come home with this disease.”
Another example of why we need guidance on preventing monkeypox in nurseries and schools -> it is mainly transmitted by close skin-to-skin contact. (And this is just basic prevention -> I don’t think anyone wants their child to come home with this disease)
—Prof. Devi Sridhar (@devisridhar) August 6, 2022
The World Health Organization (WHO) previously declared the outbreak in more than 70 countries a global emergency.
The United States has since followed suit, labeling the spread of monkeypox a public health emergency last week.
In the case referred to by the chair of public health at the University of Edinburgh, a case emerged in Illinois on Friday where a staff member at a daycare center tested positive for monkey pox after working with children.
READ MORE: Monkeypox declared a ‘global emergency’ by the World Health Organization
Young people who were exposed are being monitored by officials, and the US Food and Drug Administration has sanctioned the use of a vaccine, which is currently only licensed for adults.
In the latest update on the spread of the virus, Public Health Scotland revealed that 67 cases have been officially confirmed north of the border.
Across the UK, there were 2,768 confirmed cases on 4 August with an additional 91 cases of probable smallpox.
Most of the UK’s cases have been confirmed in Scotland, particularly in London.
PHS said those in Scotland who had been diagnosed as positive were receiving care in accordance with nationally agreed protocols and guidance.
Speaking to the Sunday Mail, Glasgow Pride chief executive Euan McLeod said: “When people hear that this has been declared an emergency and not much is happening outside of London, it’s worrying for people in our communities.
“You can walk into any bar and find leaflets about Covid, but nothing about monkey pox.
“As a result of the lack of information, people turn to social networks to share advice and their experiences.
“I also know several people who travel to London to queue for vaccines as there is no capacity here.”
According to PHS, 3,000 doses of the smallpox vaccine have been allocated to Scotland from UK stocks.
The Scottish Government said: “People who are considered to be at risk are offered the vaccine.”