Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

‘Do I have rashes from Monkeypox?’: NHS 111 is being flooded by calls from anxious people who think they have virus

As of now 101 cases of Monkeypox have been detected in England.

‘Do I have rashes from Monkeypox?’: NHS 111 is being flooded by calls from anxious people who think they have virus

The UK’s non-emergency medical helpline NHS 111 is flooded with phone calls from anxious people who have rashes, as the number of confirmed monkeypox cases in England has crossed 100.

Mateo Prochazka of the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said people could get local sexual health services instead of resorting to the helpline whose staff also handle other health enquires.

“There are other potential routes of trying to get yourself into the system, maybe calling NHS 111, but this resource has been really overloaded with everyone calling who had a rash,” Prochazka said at a webinar.

The UKHSA detected 16 news cases of monkeypox in England on Friday (27), bringing the total number confirmed in England since 7 May to 101.

With three confirmed cases in Scotland, one in Wales and one in Northern Ireland, the UK now accounts for 106 cases of monkeypox.

It said the risk to the UK population remains low, but “we are asking people to be alert to any new rashes or lesions, which would appear like spots, ulcers or blisters, on any part of their body”.

“The majority of the cases identified to date have been among men who are gay, bisexual and men who have sex with men. So we are asking these people in particular to be aware of the symptoms, particularly if they have recently had a new sexual partner," the agency said.

Since Britain first reported its confirmed monkeypox case, nearly 200 cases have been reported to the World Health Organisation from countries far from the states where the virus is endemic.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has put the number of such cases at 219.

Endemic in a number of west and central African nations, monkeypox cases have suddenly been detected in more than 20 other countries around the world, including the United States, Australia, the United Arab Emirates and nearly a dozen EU countries.

The Spanish health ministry said 98 cases had been confirmed there so far.

Portugal has registered 74 confirmed cases, health authorities said on Friday, adding that all the occurrences are in men, mainly aged below 40.

"We are still at the very, very beginning of this event," Sylvie Briand, the WHO's epidemic and pandemic preparedness and prevention chief said in Geneva.

"We know that we will have more cases in the coming days," she said but stressed there was no need to "panic".

"This is not a disease the general public should be worried about. It is not Covid or other diseases that spread fast."

Monkeypox is related to smallpox, which killed millions around the world every year before it was eradicated in 1980.

But monkeypox is much less severe, with a fatality ratio of three to six per cent. Most people recover within three to four weeks.

The initial symptoms include a high fever, swollen lymph nodes and a chickenpox-like rash.

More For You

JD Vance’ childrens

JD Vance’s children charm the crowd in traditional Indian attire upon their arrival in Delhi, capturing hearts across social media

Sansad TV

JD Vance’s children steal the spotlight in traditional Indian wear on their first visit to Delhi

On a sunny Monday morning in Delhi, US Vice-President JD Vance’s children made an instant impression, not through speeches or policy, but through the simple warmth of tradition. As they stepped off the plane, dressed in Indian ethnic wear, they quietly stole the spotlight.

Eight-year-old Ewan wore a simple grey kurta with white pyjamas. His younger brother, five-year-old Vivek, stood out in a bright yellow kurta. Their youngest sibling, three-year-old Mirabel, looked vibrant in a teal anarkali suit with a matching jacket. The trio became instant favourites among photographers, and their pictures quickly spread across social media, with many calling the gesture a sweet nod to Indian culture.

Keep ReadingShow less
pope-tributes

Members of various faith communities light candles as they pay respects in front of a portrait of Pope Francis during a condolence meeting in New Delhi on April 21, 2025. (Photo; Getty Images)

Getty Images

Tributes for Pope Francis led by UK, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka

Leaders from the UK, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka were among the first to pay tribute to Pope Francis, who died on Monday at the age of 88.

The Pope led the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics and was widely acknowledged for his efforts towards peace and social justice.

Keep ReadingShow less
uk-school-breakfast-iStock

A school with 50 per cent participation could receive up to £23,000 annually, according to the government. (Representational image: iStock)

iStock

750 schools to pilot free breakfast clubs from Tuesday

FREE breakfast clubs will begin at 750 schools across England from Tuesday as part of a government trial running until July.
The programme will offer parents of primary school children half an hour of free morning childcare.

The Department for Education said breakfast clubs play a role in tackling child poverty and are part of its plan to reduce barriers to opportunity. Schools will receive a set-up payment and will be reimbursed based on attendance.

Keep ReadingShow less
pope-francis-getty

Cathedral staff set up an image of Pope Francis inside The Metropolitan Cathedral of the Most Precious Blood, informally known as Westminster Cathedral, in central London on April 21, 2025. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

From Sede Vacante to Habemus Papam, what happens after the pope dies

THE DEATH of Pope Francis on Monday has triggered the Catholic Church’s established process for selecting a new leader.

This includes a transition period followed by the election of a new pope by the cardinals.

Keep ReadingShow less
JD-Vance-Getty

JD Vance Lands in India, Begins Four-Day Diplomatic Visit

getty image

JD Vance lands in India for his four-day visit

US VICE PRESIDENT JD Vance arrived in India on Monday for a four-day visit, during which he is scheduled to meet prime minister Narendra Modi. The visit comes as India looks to secure a trade deal with the US and avoid increased tariffs.

Vance's visit, which includes family engagements, will also see discussions with Modi. He is expected to review the progress made on issues agreed upon during Modi’s February meeting with US president Donald Trump in Washington, people familiar with the matter told Reuters.

Keep ReadingShow less