It's understood that the first case of monkeypox has been confirmed in Northern Ireland.
The BBC is reporting that a person is being treated in hospital here for the condition.
The news comes ahead of a Department of Health and Public Health Agency (PHA) briefing later on a range of health issues, including monkeypox.
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There are now believed to be 79 cases of monkeypox in the UK.
In a statement on Monday, the PHA said it is in regular contact with UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) regarding the situation.
The UKHSA will update the total number of monkeypox cases in the UK later on Thursday.
A multidisciplinary incident management team (IMT) has also been established here to ensure that we are fully prepared for any potential risk to the population of Northern Ireland.
Monkeypox is usually associated with travel to West Africa and is usually a self-limiting virus and spread by very close contact with someone who has been infected.
The current risk to the population in NI is considered to be low due to the fact the virus does not spread easily.
Initial symptoms of the virus include fever, headache, muscle aches, backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills and exhaustion. It often starts on someone's face before spreading to other parts of the body.
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What are the symptoms?
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 including the genitals.
The rash changes and goes through different stages – it can look like chickenpox or syphilis, before finally forming a scab which later falls off.
For further information on monkeypox is available here.
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