Smallpox in monkeys: what is the virus after the Wales outbreak, what are the symptoms and where did it come from?

Two cases of monkeypox have been identified in north Wales, health officials say.

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

PHW added that surveillance and contact tracing is ongoing and the risk to the public is very low.

But what is monkeypox and what are the signs and symptoms?

Here’s what you need to know.

Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by infection with the monkeypox virus.

Monkeypox is usually a mild illness and goes away on its own without treatment, but some people can develop more serious symptoms, so monkeypox patients in the UK are cared for in hospitals. specialist.

However, there are only a very small number of cases of monkeypox in the UK and when this is the case, health professionals will aim to come into contact with anyone who has been in close contact with an infected person. .

The NHS website says: “If you haven’t been contacted, rest assured you are very unlikely to have monkeypox.”

Monkeypox is not easily spread from person to person, but you can get it from:

– touching items such as clothing, bedding or towels used by an infected person

– touch smallpox spots or scales on monkeys

– a person with a monkeypox rash coughs or sneezes near you

Then, the rash usually begins one to five days after the first symptoms appear. Pimples usually start on the face before spreading to other parts of the body.

During the illness, the rash then turns from raised red bumps to fluid-filled spots, with these eventually forming scabs that then fall off.

The NHS explains that “it is difficult to tell if the infection is monkeypox because it can often be confused with other infections such as chickenpox”.

The virus is diagnosed after examination by a specialist and treatment for monkeypox is aimed at alleviating symptoms and takes place in specialized hospitals.