An LGBT+ Oldham councillor is calling for people not to panic, after he says the borough has had just one case of monkeypox.

Official figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) state that Oldham has had fewer than five cases, in figures recorded up to Monday, August 15.

However, Cllr Hamblett, a gay man himself, has stated that just one case has been reported in Oldham so far.

This would mean Oldham has one of the lowest case rates in the country and the North West.

Cllr Louie Hamblett said: “I don’t say it lightly, but we do seem to be faring better than some of the national stuff – in terms of what’s happening in London.

“They’re doing their best in terms of the vaccination side.

"There is a supply issue in terms of doses – we need to get better at actually getting more supplies of the actual vaccines.

“The sexual health services are trying to dial it up a bit, and generally put the correct information out there.

“We need to ensure we don’t have this massive panic and a big rush at the doors. They’re trying to do it in a sensitive way.

“As somebody who is part of the community, we get enough hardship as it is, we receive enough stigma.

"We had it in the ‘80s and ‘90s with HIV – the last thing we need is for this to be added as another reason to vilify us.

“One thing I don’t want it to be turned into is purely directed as a ‘gay disease’ – that’s just my fear.”

As of Tuesday, August 9, Greater London has a rate of 0.23 confirmed and highly probable monkeypox cases per 1,000 people.

The London borough of Lambeth has the highest rate in England – standing at 0.89 per 1,000.

In the North West, Salford has the highest rate, with 0.1 per 1,000, or 26 cases. Manchester has 51 cases, or 0.09 per 1,000.

Going off Cllr Hamblett’s information, Manchester has a case rate 22 times higher, and Greater London 56 times higher.

Monkeypox signs and symptoms

According to the NHS, it can take between five and 21 days for symptoms to appear after you first get infected with monkeypox.

The Oldham Times: Monkeypox. Photos: UKHSAMonkeypox. Photos: UKHSA (Image: UKHSA)

Symptoms include:

  • a high temperature
  • a headache
  • muscle aches
  • backache
  • swollen glands
  • shivering (chills)
  • exhaustion
  • joint pain

A rash, which is sometimes confused with chickenpox, usually appears one to five days after the first symptoms, often beginning on the face before spreading to other parts of the body. This can include the mouth, genitals, and anus.

What to do if you think you might have it or could get it

Those who think they have monkeypox or have come into contact with someone who has monkeypox should isolate, and can find information on Oldham’s Sexual Health Hub or call the Sexual Health Hub on 0300 303 8565. Information is also available on the NHS website.