Public health watchdogs are taking action to protect the community following the discovery of a case of monkeypox in Twickenham.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) says it has taken a decision not to comment on individual cases or their place of work in order to maintain patient confidentiality.

However, the organisation has offered reassurance that it is carrying out contact tracing for the individual involved in order to prevent further spread.

Richmond Borough Council, which has public health responsibilities and has been heavily involved in managing the effort to combat Covid-19, passed questions on the monkeypox case to the UKHSA.

Yesterday, the UKHSA said it had detected another 71 additional cases of monkeypox in England, bringing the total to 172. The UK figure now stands at 179.

The organisation said the risk to the UK population remains low, but it is 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.

Dr Anita Bell, consultant in health protection at the UK Health Security Agency, told Nub News: "When cases of monkeypox are identified we are rapidly investigating the source of their infection and carrying out detailed contact tracing to assess who may have come into contact with them and what their contact was.

"Contact tracing is carried out on a case-by-case basis and contacts are categorised based on their level of contact with the person and the likelihood that they may have contracted the infection. The level of risk will vary between different types of contact.

"Following our risk assessment, the appropriate health information and advice is provided to the contacts so that they know what to look out for and what action to take."

She added: "The risk to the UK population remains low and anyone with unusual rashes or blisters on any part of their body should immediately contact NHS 111 or their local sexual health service."

Richmond Council has posted general health information on the infection.

It said: "Monkeypox is a rare illness caused by the monkeypox virus and one of the symptoms is a rash that is sometimes confused with chickenpox. It is usually associated with travel to Central or West Africa but cases have been occurring in England with no travel links.

"Monkeypox can be spread when someone comes into close contact with an infected person. The virus can enter the body through broken skin, the respiratory tract or through the eyes, nose or mouth.

"If you get infected with monkeypox, it usually takes between five and 21 days for the first symptoms to appear. Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills and exhaustion.

"A rash can develop, often beginning on the face, then spreading to other parts of the body. The rash changes and goes through different stages - a bit like chicken pox - before finally forming a scab, which later falls off."

The virus can spread if there is close contact between people through:

* Touching clothing, bedding or towels used by someone with the monkeypox rash.

* Touching monkeypox skin blisters or scabs.

* The coughs or sneezes of a person with the monkeypox rash.

Anyone with concerns that they could be infected should see a health professional but make contact with the clinic or surgery ahead of a visit. NHS 111 can also give advice.