Monkeypox: Two cases identified in north Waleson June 10, 2021 at 7:33 pm

- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -

Two people were admitted to a hospital in England, but one has since been discharged.

Scabs on a person's hands from monkey pox

image copyrightGetty Images

There have been two cases of monkeypox identified in north Wales, health officials have said.

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

Monitoring and contact tracing is taking place and the risk to the general public is very low, PHW added.

Both people were admitted to a hospital in England, where one still remains.

Public Health England is also monitoring the situation.

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

“We have worked with multi-agency colleagues, following tried and tested protocols and procedures, and identified all close contacts. Actions have been put in place to minimise the likelihood of further infection.”

The arms and legs of a 4-year-old girl with monkeypox in Liberia

image copyrightGetty Images

The monkeypox virus is a member of the same family of viruses as smallpox, although it is much less severe and experts say chances of infection are low.

It occurs mostly in remote parts of central and west African countries, near tropical rainforests.

There are two main strains of virus – west African and central African.

Initial symptoms include fever, headaches, swellings, back pain, aching muscles and a general listlessness.

Once the fever breaks, a rash can develop, often beginning on the face then spreading to other parts of the body, most commonly the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.

The rash, which can be extremely itchy, changes and goes through different stages before finally forming a scab, which later falls off. The lesions can cause scarring.

The infection usually clears up on its own and lasts between 14 and 21 days.

Most cases of the virus are mild, sometimes resembling chickenpox, and clear up on their own within a few weeks.

Monkeypox can sometimes be more severe, however, and has been reported to have caused deaths in west Africa.

- Advertisement -

Discover

Sponsor

Latest

Poland election: Tusk’s opposition eyes power after pivotal voteon October 17, 2023 at 5:06 pm

Eight years of rule under the right-wing Law and Justice party could soon come to an end.Eight years of rule under the right-wing Law...

Covid: US to lift travel ban for fully jabbed on 8 Novemberon October 15, 2021 at 1:51 pm

Fully vaccinated travellers will be allowed to enter the US for the first time since March 2020.Image source, Getty ImagesThe US has announced that...

The Ghanaian giant reported to be the world’s tallest manon January 2, 2023 at 12:21 am

A hospital told Sulemana he was 9ft 6in, but nurses couldn't be sure - so the BBC went to find out.A hospital told Sulemana...

Determined Djokovic, outstanding outifts & a proper hot dog – day five best bitson July 2, 2021 at 7:12 pm

Watch some of the best bits from day five at Wimbledon including Nick Kyrgios accidentally hitting a ball at Venus Williams and some well...

How to Learn Mediumship

What makes the Nobel Prize winning author, Priyank Chopra so special? He is an amazing and versatile psychic who has touched the lives of...