A warning has been issued in Spain as eight cases of the monkeypox virus are suspected in the popular holiday hotspot.
As reported by BristolLive, the Spanish Government has issued a nationwide alert in order to "guarantee a swift, coordinated and timely response”.
A further five confirmed cases of the illness have also been confirmed in Portugal.
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It follows the news that two more cases of monkeypox were identified in the UK on Wednesday, bringing the total number to nine.
The eight possible Spain cases are all in the Madrid region, while Portugal's are in the Lisbon and Tagus Valley region.
According to The Guardian, the Spanish cases are in the process of being analysed by the National Microbiology Centre.
A spokesperson for Madrid’s regional health department stated: "Generally speaking, monkeypox is spread by respiratory transmission, but the characteristics of the eight suspected cases point towards fluid contact.
"The eight suspected cases in Madrid are among men who have sex with men. They are doing well but this illness can require hospital treatment."
The first case of the virus in the UK was identified in an individual who had recently travelled to Nigeria, where it is believed they contracted the infection.
According to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), four of the most recent cases all identify as gay, bisexual, or men who have sex with men.
The agency has asked these groups to "be alert" to potential symptoms, including rashes or lesions on any part of their body — particularly their genitalia — to get in touch with a sexual health service if they have concerns.
The body stressed that the virus does not spread easily and that the risk to the UK population remained low.
Chief medical adviser at the UKHSA said: “This is rare and unusual.
“UKHSA is rapidly investigating the source of these infections because the evidence suggests that there may be transmission of the monkeypox virus in the community, spread by close contact. We are contacting any potential close contacts of the cases to provide health information and advice.”
The rash, which can develop as part of the virus, changes and goes through different stages before finally forming a scab, which later falls off. The health agency also said that initial symptoms of monkeypox include fever, headache, muscle aches, backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills and exhaustion.
