Monkeypox outbreak in UK: what are the symptoms and how is it spread?

Two cases of monkeypox have been identified in the north Wales health officials said.

Public Health Wales (PHW) said the original case was acquired overseas and both cases were identified in two people in the same household.

PHW added that monitoring and contact tracing is now underway and the risk to the general public is very low.

But what is monkey pox and what are the signs and symptoms?

Here’s what you need to know.

Monkey pox is a rare disease caused by infection with the monkey pox virus.

Most of the cases have occurred in Africa and the risk of catching monkey pox in the UK is very low, explains the NHS.

Monkey pox is usually a mild disease that gets better on its own without treatment, but some people can develop more severe symptoms, so monkey pox patients in the UK are treated in hospitals. specialized.

However, there have only been a very small number of cases of monkey pox in the UK and when there is a case, healthcare professionals will endeavor to contact anyone who has been in close contact. with the infected person.

The NHS website says: “If you have not been contacted, rest assured, it is extremely unlikely that you will catch monkey pox.”

Monkeypox is not easily spread between people, but it is possible to catch it from:

– touching objects such as clothes, bedding or towels used by an infected person

– touching spots or scabs of monkeypox

– a person with a monkey pox rash who coughs or sneezes near you

A rash then usually begins one to five days after the first symptoms appear. The spots often start on the face before spreading to other parts of the body.

Over the course of the disease, the rash then changes from raised red bumps to fluid-filled spots, with the spots eventually forming scabs that later fall off.

The NHS explains that “it is difficult to know if the infection is monkey pox because it can often be confused with other infections such as chicken pox”.

The virus is diagnosed after examination by a specialist, and treatment for monkey pox is aimed at relieving symptoms and takes place in specialist hospitals.