MONKEYPOX VIRUS FOUND IN WALES

TWO cases of the rare monkeypox virus have been identified in Wales, health officials have confirmed.

In a statement issued yesterday, Public Health Wales said it is monitoring two cases of imported monkeypox alongside Public Health England after their discovery in north Wales.

The index case is said to have been acquired overseas, and the two cases are members of the same household.

Both individuals were admitted to a hospital in England where one remains.

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

Most cases have been identified on the continent of Africa and catching monkeypox in the UK is said to be extremely unlikely.

Symptoms include a high temperatures, headache, muscle aches, back ache, swollen glands, chills and exhaustion, according to the NHS website.

The virus is not spread easily between people but it is possible to catch it from touching items like clothing or bedding which has been used by an infected person.

Transmission can also be caused by touching monkeypox spots or scabs, or if a person with a monkeypox rash coughs or sneezes near another person.

The disease is usually a mild illness that will get better on it’s own without treatment, though some people can develop more serious symptoms, the NHS website states.

However, some people can develop more serious symptoms, so identified cases in the UK are cared for in specialist hospitals.

Health secretary Matt Hancock told MPs today that the UK Government is “dealing with an outbreak of monkeypox, and cases of drug-resistant TB”.

In a statement, Public Health Wales said: “Public Health Wales and Public Health England are monitoring two cases of imported monkeypox identified in north Wales.

“The index case was acquired overseas, and the two cases are members of the same household.

“Both cases were admitted to a hospital in England, where one currently remains.

“Monitoring and follow-up of the cases and their close contacts are undertaken as part of normal practice, and the risk to the general public is very low.”

Consultant in health protection at PHW, Richard Firth, said: “Confirmed cases of monkeypox are a rare event in the UK, and the risk to the general public is very low.”