'Concerned' medics have a plan to deal with monkeypox if it spreads to Greater Manchester

The number of monkeypox cases in England is rising daily, with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) detecting an additional 14 cases today. This brings the total number of cases confirmed in England to 70 since May 7.

Monkeypox is a 'concern' for hospitals in Greater Manchester, which are understood to be preparing for any cases to arise, senior NHS sources in the region have told the Manchester Evening News . However, there have not been any cases in the North West so far, the UKHSA has confirmed.

Despite further cases being detected, the risk to the UK population remains low, say national medical experts. There are 'plans in place' to deal with any diagnoses that surface in Greater Manchester, and the city's hospital leaders say they are 'watching case numbers very closely'.

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The increase in monkeypox comes at a problematic time for Greater Manchester's hospitals and the virus is being considered a 'concern', according to one senior hospital source in the area. Four of the region's hospitals are currently battling a slew of IT issues which are causing 'severe delays' to patient care, on top of high levels of demand which preceded the system failures.

But so far, there have been no cases of the disease in the North West, multiple sources have confirmed. If cases do arise, Greater Manchester health chiefs say there is a plan in place to deal with them.

The infectious disease team at North Manchester General Hospital will be the medics identifying and confirming suspected monkeypox cases for the region, the Manchester Evening News understands. The unit will 'provide support for advice and testing'.

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