<p>Belgium has become the first country to introduce a compulsory 21-day monkeypox quarantine -- as 14 countries now confirm outbreaks of the viral disease and doctors warn of a 'significant rise' in UK cases, the media reported.</p>.<p>Those who contract the virus will now have to self-isolate for three weeks, Belgian health authorities have said, after three cases were recorded in the country.</p>.<p>The infections, the first of which was recorded on Friday, are all linked to a festival in the port city of Antwerp, the Daily Mail reported.</p>.<p>It comes as doctors have warned that the UK faces a 'significant' rise in infections and the government's response is 'critical' in containing its spread.</p>.<p>Dr. Claire Dewsnap, president of the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV, has also said the outbreak could have a 'massive impact' on access to sexual health services in Britain.</p>.<p>Another 11 Britons had tested positive for the virus, taking the total to 20.</p>.<p>The cases include a British child currently in a critical condition at a London hospital, while a further 100 infections have been recorded in Europe.</p>.<p>The rare viral infection, which people usually pick up in the tropical areas of west and central Africa, can be transmitted by very close contact with an infected person.</p>.<p>It is usually mild, with most patients recovering within a few weeks without treatment.</p>.<p>However, the disease can prove fatal with the strain causing the current outbreak killing one in 100 infected.</p>.<p>The disease, which was first found in monkeys, can be transmitted from person to person through close physical contact -- as well as sexual intercourse, Daily Mail reported.</p>
<p>Belgium has become the first country to introduce a compulsory 21-day monkeypox quarantine -- as 14 countries now confirm outbreaks of the viral disease and doctors warn of a 'significant rise' in UK cases, the media reported.</p>.<p>Those who contract the virus will now have to self-isolate for three weeks, Belgian health authorities have said, after three cases were recorded in the country.</p>.<p>The infections, the first of which was recorded on Friday, are all linked to a festival in the port city of Antwerp, the Daily Mail reported.</p>.<p>It comes as doctors have warned that the UK faces a 'significant' rise in infections and the government's response is 'critical' in containing its spread.</p>.<p>Dr. Claire Dewsnap, president of the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV, has also said the outbreak could have a 'massive impact' on access to sexual health services in Britain.</p>.<p>Another 11 Britons had tested positive for the virus, taking the total to 20.</p>.<p>The cases include a British child currently in a critical condition at a London hospital, while a further 100 infections have been recorded in Europe.</p>.<p>The rare viral infection, which people usually pick up in the tropical areas of west and central Africa, can be transmitted by very close contact with an infected person.</p>.<p>It is usually mild, with most patients recovering within a few weeks without treatment.</p>.<p>However, the disease can prove fatal with the strain causing the current outbreak killing one in 100 infected.</p>.<p>The disease, which was first found in monkeys, can be transmitted from person to person through close physical contact -- as well as sexual intercourse, Daily Mail reported.</p>