Covid-like tracker being developed to monitor monkeypox spread as cases hit 90

UK health officials are reportedly working on a Covid-like dashboard in order to help keep the public aware of monkeypox cases and to monitor the virus

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Monkeypox: Dr Chris outlines the main symptoms

A Covid-like tracker is being developed to help monitor the spread of monkeypox – as 90 cases have now been confirmed in the UK.

The UK Health Security Agency has already been releasing daily updates on the number of the cases through press releases.

However, UK Health officials are now reportedly working on a Covid-like dashboard in order to keep the public updated with new cases, according to The Express.

It took health authorities several weeks to develop the Covid-dashboard which was launched in Spring 2020.

The virus was already in circulation across the country when the dashboard was launched.

However, the Covid dashboard has been an essential part of the UK’s response to the pandemic as it can help monitor and track the virus across the country.

A tracking dashboard for monkeypox was quickly set up by the UKHSA to help study the virus and inform the public of rising cases.

Over the coming days health officials will offer official guidance on what to do if people develop symptoms of monkeypox and if they believe they have been exposed to the virus.

Monkeypox is usually found in Central and Western Africa and can be transmitted by contact and droplet exposure via exhaled large droplets.

People who are infected right now are sent to quarantine, either at home or in a specialist infectious disease ward in a hospital, after a PCR test confirms the infection.

Health officials then track down close contacts and offer them shots of a vaccine that can prevent infection if administered a few days after being exposed.

The UK currently has about 23,000 doses of the Bavarian Nordic Imvanex jab, which is specifically designed to combat smallpox, but has also shown to be effective against monkeypox.

Each dose of the vaccine costs around £5, with a total of two doses required four weeks apart to ensure maximum protection.

The vaccine needs to be given soon after being exposed to the virus in order to alter the infection.

As monkeypox has a three-week incubation period, by the time a person is symptomatic, the vaccine is ineffective.

Health officials believe the best way to treat the virus is to vaccinate the close contacts of the people who have detected positive for monkeypox.