Monkeypox: the latest NHS data for Birmingham, Solihull & Sandwell

Monkeypox cases have now been identified in almost every council area of England, official figures show.

The majority of cases across the UK have so far been transmitted between gay and bisexual men, and men who have sex with other men. The NHS is offering smallpox (MVA) vaccination to people who are most likely to be exposed to the virus.

Despite vaccination now rolling out across the UK, the country is still seeing the number of cases climb, with latest figures showing more than 3,000 people have so far been infected with the virus. Between 6 May and 8 August, there were 2,914 confirmed and 103 highly probable monkeypox cases reported in the UK, according to the latest figures published by the UK Health Security Agency.

England currently has the greatest number of confirmed cases with 2,883, followed by Scotland with 69, 40 in Wales and 25 in Northern Ireland. London also continues to be the worst affected region in the UK with a high proportion of cases being linked to residents in the capital. In total 71% of cases (2,047 of 2,870 with location information) were located in London.

What about Birmingham, Solihull and Sandwell?

As of August 8, Birmingham has recorded 27 cases of monkeypox (25th highest in England) with less than five cases recorded in both Solihull and Sandwell.

What about the rest of the country?

283 cases of the disease have been confirmed in Lambeth, with 198 in Southwark, and 133 in Tower Hamlets. Outside of the capital, Brighton and Hove has seen the most cases with 69 recorded. Manchester has recorded 51 cases so far.

What’s been said about the figures?

Dr William Welfare, Incident Director at UKHSA, said: “While the most recent data suggests the growth of the outbreak has slowed, we continue to see new cases every day. While anyone can get monkeypox, the majority of monkeypox cases in the UK continue to be in gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, with the infection being passed on mainly through close contact in interconnected sexual networks.

“Please continue to be aware of symptoms, including rashes and blisters, particularly if you have recently had a new sexual partner.”

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