Monkeypox spread linked with raves in Europe as UK cases continue to rise

The spread of monkeypox in Europe has been linked with raves. It comes as confirmed monkeypox cases in the UK have more than doubled to 57.

The figure, released by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), was an increase from the previously confirmed 20 cases. Transmission between people is occurring in the UK, with a large proportion of cases identified in the gay, bisexual and men who have sex with other men community. Monkeypox is not normally a sexually transmitted infection, but it can be passed on by direct contact during sex.

And a new theory has emerged about the spread of the disease. Professor David Heymann, the World Health Organisation’s former assistant director-general for health security and environment, is reported to have said a leading theory to explain the spread of the disease was sexual transmission at raves in Europe.

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Experts have warned against “misinformation, stigma and discrimination” around the condition. During a WHO question and answer session, Andy Seale, an adviser with an HIV, hepatitis and STI programme, said: “There are ways that we can work with communities to learn from really decades of experience around tackling stigma and discrimination with HIV. We want to apply that lesson, those lessons learned, to this experience.”

There are 56 confirmed cases in England, and Scotland confirmed its first case on Monday. Northern Ireland’s Public Health Agency and Public Health Wales each said they have had no confirmed cases.

Health officials said that while the outbreak is “significant and concerning”, the risk to the UK population remains low. The Government has stocks of the smallpox vaccine which is being