More cases of monkeypox have been identified in Wales, it has been revealed. Public Health Wales confirmed that three additional cases have been found to bring the total in Wales to 23.
Richard Firth, consultant in public health for Public Health Wales, said the cases were being "managed appropriately". He added: "To protect patient confidentiality, no further details relating to the patients will be disclosed."
Monkeypox is not a sexually transmitted infection (STI) but can present like one. In this global outbreak, it is spreading primarily among men who have sex with other men.
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The rise in cases comes following a warning by the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) who claim the outbreak could last months and risk the virus becoming "endemic if urgent action is not taken".
In a statement, the group - which is made up of public health directors and leading sexual health charities - warns about a shortage of smallpox vaccines used to protect high-risk groups from monkeypox.
Dr John McSorley told Sky News : "It looks like we're in for an outbreak that is going to last for the rest of the year at least before it is averted. But that runs the risk, if that happens, unless you get ahead of epidemics actually what you find is that you tend to fall behind. They're always unpredictable but what we'd like to do is be able to have access to more vaccines more quickly and able to distribute it more effectively and all of that requires resource."
Monkeypox a very different virus from the one that causes Covid-19 and is much harder to transmit, but it can land patients in the hospital and even kill. It can also leave the infected person with pus-filled lesions on the skin that can leave permanent scars, but in most people it's a mild illness.
So far, more than 60 countries on six continents have recorded in excess of 7,500 cases, with an 82% increase in new infections since June 27. To date England has recorded 1,778 cases, Scotland 46 and Northern Ireland 12. The highest concentration of cases is among people living in London.
Dr Giri Shankar, director of health protection for Public Health Wales, said: “Initial symptoms of monkeypox include fever, headache, muscle aches, backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills and exhaustion. A rash can develop, often beginning on the face, then spreading to other parts of the body, particularly the hands and feet. The rash changes and goes through different stages before finally forming a scab, which later falls off.
“Everyone is being asked to be aware of the monkeypox symptoms, but it is important that gay and bisexual men are alert as it's believed to be spreading in sexual networks. Anyone with unusual rashes or lesions on any part of their body should contact NHS 111 or call a sexual health service if they have concerns."
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