Monkeypox outbreak was waiting to happen, say scientists
The Guardian says the unprecedented surge in monkeypox cases in the UK and beyond was an outbreak waiting to happen after the end of global smallpox vaccination more than 40 years ago, scientists say.
The UK Health Security Agency announced a further 14 cases in England on Tuesday, bringing the total to 70, and one further patient in Scotland. No cases have been identified in Wales or Northern Ireland.
Routine smallpox vaccination wound down in most countries before 1980 when the World Health Assembly declared the disease eradicated. Because the vaccine also protects against monkeypox, the campaign had kept that disease in check too, notably in regions of central and western Africa where the virus is endemic.
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