A World Health Organisation official has expressed concern heading into the summer months as the monkeypox virus continues to spread.
There has been a monkeypox outbreak in 15 nations outside Africa with over 80 cases confirmed in Europe, the US, Canada, Australia and Israel.
Austria confirmed it's first case of monkeypox over the weekend, while a senior doctor in the UK has warned the virus is spreading through community transmission
Read more: Seven key symptoms of Monkeypox to look out for after case confirmed in UK
Hans Kluge, WHO regional director for Europe, said that “as we enter the summer season … with mass gatherings, festivals and parties, I am concerned that transmission could accelerate”.
Dr Susan Hopkins, a chief medical adviser for UKHSA, said cases are predominantly being seen in cities, specifically hitting the LGBTQ+ community.
Speaking to BBC One's Morning Show, Dr Hopkins said: "The community transmission is largely centred in urban areas and we are predominantly seeing it in individuals who self-identify as gay or bisexual, or other men who have sex with men."
She continued: "We would recommend to anyone who's having changes in sex partners regularly, or having close contact with individuals that they don't know, to come forward if they develop a rash."
There are no known monkeypox cases in Ireland to date.
There are seven key symptoms that can indicate a monkeypox infection. Many of these are similar to smallpox.
Symptoms are:
Fever
Headache
Muscle aches
Backache
Swollen lymph nodes
Chills
Exhaustion
A fever can start within one to three days and the patient can develop a rash that usually begins on the face then spreads to other parts of the body.
The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention says: "In humans, the symptoms of monkeypox are similar to but milder than the symptoms of smallpox.
"Monkeypox begins with fever, headache, muscle aches, and exhaustion.
"The main difference between symptoms of smallpox and monkeypox is that monkeypox causes lymph nodes to swell (lymphadenopathy) while smallpox does not.
"The incubation period (time from infection to symptoms) for monkeypox is usually 7−14 days but can range from 5−21 days."
The virus can be transmitted through contact with skin lesions and droplets of an infected person, such as sharing beds or towels.
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