As 14 countries confirm outbreaks of the viral disease and physicians warn of a significant increase’ in cases in the UK, Belgium has become the first country to enforce a mandatory 21-day monkeypox quarantine.
After three instances were reported in Belgium, health officials warned anyone who get the virus must now isolate themselves for three weeks.
All of the infections have been linked to an Antwerp festival, with the first case being recorded on Friday.
Doctors have warned that the UK is facing a “substantial” increase in infections, and that the government’s response is “essential” in stopping the spread.
The outbreak, according to Claire Dewsnap, president of the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV, could have a “huge impact” on access to sexual health services in the UK.
Meanwhile, Dr Susan Hopkins, the UK Health Security Agency’s top medical adviser, has warned that monkeypox is spreading in the UK through community transmission, with new cases being discovered every day.
Infected people can spread viral illnesses through very close contact, which is frequent in tropical areas of west and central Africa.
Most people recover in a few weeks without treatment.
One in every 100 people infected with the strain that is triggering the current outbreak will die.
The monkeypox virus causes the disease, which first arose in monkeys and can be spread from person to person through both physical and sexual contact.