The number of Monkeypox cases in Wales has grown to 30, Public Health Wales has confirmed. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has now declared the disease as a "global emergency".
Six additional cases have been confirmed in Wales since July 21, bringing the total so far up to 30. Richard Firth, Consultant in Public Health for Public Health Wales, said: "Public Health Wales is today (25 July) confirming that six additional cases of Monkeypox have been identified in Wales. This brings the total in Wales to 30. The cases are being managed appropriately. To protect patient confidentiality, no further details relating to the patients will be disclosed."
Monkeypox is related to smallpox and has been traced to 70 countries so far. Most Monkeypox patients experience only fever, body aches, chills and fatigue, but some may develop a rash and lesions on the face and hands that can spread to other parts of the body.
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The rash can look like chickenpox or syphilis, and scabs can form which then fall off. Most people recover within a few weeks. The incubation period of monkeypox is usually from six to 13 days, but can range from five to 21 days.
Close physical contact is the most likely route for transmission, as well as touching clothing, bedding or towels used by someone with the Monkeypox rash, or touching Monkeypox skin blisters or scabs. There is a smaller risk of it being spread through coughs and sneezes.
Because the Monkeypox virus is very similar to smallpox, according to the NHS, the smallpox (MVA) vaccine provides a "good level of protection" against monkeypox. While the NHS is offering the MVA vaccine to protect people in the UK from monkeypox not everyone is eligible to receive the jab. Instead, the health service is only offering the vaccine to those it deems as the most likely to be exposed to it.
Those the can receive the vaccine are some healthcare workers, some men who are gay, bisexual, or have sex with other men, and people who have been in close contact with someone with monkeypox.
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