Scottish health officials have urged Scots to seek medical advice if they have any blister-like rashes or sores amid the UK monkeypox outbreak.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has identified 179 cases of the virus - four of which have now been found in Scotland.
Monkeypox is a viral infection, which has been described as a mild self-limiting illness spread by very close contact with someone already infected and with symptoms of the virus.
Most people are said to recover from monkeypox, which is usually found in western and central Africa, within a few weeks.
The risk to the general public in the UK is low, according to health chiefs.
Public Health Scotland have said that they are now seeking close contacts of the four cases identified in the country so far.
Dr Nick Phin, Director of Public Health Science and Medical Director at PHS, has urged people to come forward if they have any early signs of the virus.
He said: “Anyone with an unusual blister-like rash or small number of blister-like sores on any part of their body, including their genital area, should avoid close contact with others and seek medical advice if they have any concerns.
“Public Health Scotland (PHS) continues to work with NHS Boards and wider partners in Scotland and the UK to investigate the source of these infections.
“We have well established and robust infection control procedures for dealing with such cases of infectious disease and these are being strictly followed and the overall risk to the general public is low.”
Other initial symptoms of the virus include:
- fever
- headache
- muscle aches
- backache
- swollen lymph nodes
- chills
- exhaustion
The blister-like rash described by Dr Phin can develop in one to five days after other symptoms, which usually begin on the face or genital area, and may spread to other parts of the body.
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