Sajid Javid has confirmed a further 11 new cases of monkeypox have been discovered in the UK.
In a post on Twitter, the Health Secretary said: "UKHSA have confirmed 11 new cases of monkeypox in the UK.
"This morning I updated G7 Health Ministers on what we know so far.
A further 11 cases of monkeypox have been confirmed in the UK
WikiCommons
Health Secretary Sajid Javid
Victoria Jones
"Most cases are mild, and I can confirm we have procured further doses of vaccines that are effective against monkeypox."
This comes after nine Brits had already been diagnosed with the virus, while cases have also been found in the US, Spain and Portugal.
Of the first nine cases in the UK, six have been found in gay or bisexual men which, according to an infectious disease epidemiologist Mateo Prochazka, means it's likely the virus is "spread in sexual networks".
As a result, gay men could be given monkeypox vaccines, according to the MailOnline.
Infectious disease expert at the University of East Anglia, professor Paul Hunter said he “could see a role” for such a vaccine “if this isn’t brought under control quickly".
Symptoms of the disease include fever, headache, muscle aches, backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills and exhaustion.
Rashes can emerge, which often start on the face before spreading to other areas of the body such as the genitals.
The rash can appear similar to sort of sores present on someone with chickenpox.
It eventually forms a scab and drops off.
