With the detection of 2 more cases of monkeypox (monkeypox) virus in the UK, the number of cases detected since 6 May has increased to 9. The UK Health Safety Agency (UKHSA) reported that the new cases have no travel link to a country where the virus is endemic, so it is possible for individuals to become infected through transmission.
UKHSA noted that one of the new cases was detected in the capital, London, and the other in the south-east of the country, with the number of cases increasing to 9.
The agency stated that the latest monkeypox virus cases were predominantly among gay and bisexual individuals, and shared the information that the new cases were not related to previously confirmed cases.
CASE ALARM IN SPAIN AND PORTUGAL
Ministries of Health in Spain and Portugal were also on alert for cases of monkeypox virus.
It was announced that monkeypox, a rare disease caused by an endemic virus transmitted from monkey to human in Central and West Africa, was detected in 8 people in Madrid, the capital of Spain, and in 5 people in Lisbon, the capital of Portugal.
The Spanish National Microbiology Center also announced that although there is a common opinion that 8 cases detected in Madrid are monkeypox virus, the final results will be determined after the analysis is completed.
“WE SHOULD BE READY FOR ANY POSSIBILITY”
Fernando Simon, Director of the Spain Emergency Medical Services and Alerts Coordination Center, said that after England, it was also investigated whether there was a connection between the cases of monkeypox in Portugal and Spain.
“It’s very new at the moment, but we have to be prepared for any eventuality. Although the possibility of transmission is very low, it’s not a possibility we can completely rule out. So we have to be cautious. We are working for all possibilities.” he said.
FIRST SEEN ON MAY 7
It was confirmed that the virus was first seen in one person in England on May 7 in Europe, then it was stated that this virus was seen in 5 people in Portugal on May 17, and 15 people were taken under surveillance in suspicious circumstances.
The most common symptoms of monkeypox are skin rash and blisters, fever, back and muscle pain, swollen lymph nodes. (AA)