It is also encouraging the LGBT Consortium and Pride event organisers to help with messaging in the coming weeks. The UKHSA is working with groups including the British Association of Sexual Health and HIV and the dating App Grindr to communicate with sexual health services and the GBMSM community. 'As with any new disease outbreak, the risk of stigma and uncertainty is great,' he said. Monkeypox can affect anyone, but many of the most recent diagnoses are the GBMSM community - many of whom live in, or have links to London, said Kevin Fenton, London's regional director for public health. 'Investigations continue but currently no single factor or exposure that links the cases has been identified,' the agency cautioned. So far, the UKHSA has identified links to gay bars, saunas and the use of dating apps in Britain and abroad. Recent foreign travel to a number of different countries in Europe within 21 days of symptom onset has been reported by 34 confirmed cases, or about 18% of the 190 cases of the disease that have been confirmed by the United Kingdom as of May 31. According to the UKHSA, the majority of cases in the United Kingdom - 132 - are in London, while 111 cases are known to be in gay, bisexual, or other men who have sex with men (GBMSM).
