Monkeypox: Rare disease explained
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Health officials in the US have confirmed that the first case of Monkeypox has been detected in the country in 2021, as fears of a major outbreak grow. The virus, which is fatal to one in 10 infected people, recorded new cases in both the UK and Portugal today, with suspected cases in Spain and Canada. According to a statement by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, the infected patient is an adult male who recently travelled to Canada.
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The health body said: "The case poses no risk to the public, and the individual is hospitalized and in good condition.
"DPH is working closely with the CDC, relevant local boards of health, and the patient’s health care providers to identify individuals who may have been in contact with the patient while he was infectious."
This comes as two new cases of the monkeypox virus have been confirmed in the UK, bringing up the total number of confirmed diagnoses since May 6 to nine.
Monkeypox is a virus that is usually found in Central and Western Africa and can be transmitted by contact and droplet exposure via exhaled large droplets.
According to the global health body, symptoms can be mild or severe and can include lesions that can be very itchy or painful.
