Researchers have identified a 'unusual' main symptom of moneypox as cases across the UK continue to soar.
The latest review of the UK's monkeypox outbreak has identified the main symptom of recent cases as pseudo-pustules.
Researchers say the finding is very important as this particular feature is rare in other diseases and thus is a "very clear sign of monkeypox".
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Pustules are lesions on the skin where the top layer can be scraped away, but this isn't possible with pseudo pustules.
Although they look similar to 'real' pustules, they are different in that they are white, solid, and don't contain pus.
It comes as two further cases of monkeypox have been identified in Scotland, according to the latest figures. Data from the UK Health Security Agency reports 61 monkeypox cases in Scotland as of July 28, with 2,546 total UK cases of which most (2,436) are in England.
Other symptoms of monkeypox include ulcers, which happen when lesions meet moist areas of the body, such as the nose, mouth or genital areas. In some cases, these ulcers can be the most common lesions.
The article, which was published in the British Journal of Dermatology, examined 185 patients.
"A crucial aspect of managing a fast-moving disease outbreak is having as much information as possible," Dr Ignacio García Doval, coordinator of the research from the Spanish Academy of Dermatology.
"Our research shows that the symptoms of the current outbreak are unusual and there is evidence that this is due to skin-to-skin contact during sex. Rather than the typical widespread rash seen in past cases, recent cases tend to have far fewer skin lesions, often in one location."
Dr Doval noted that the main skin symptom of recent monkeypox cases are pseudo-pustules.
He added: "It is particularly important for healthcare professionals to note the appearance of these skin lesions. Monkeypox is often described as causing pustules, pus-filled lesions, but in this outbreak, the main skin symptom is actually pseudo-pustules, white, solid papules which look like pustules, but which don't contain any pus. This feature is very rare in other diseases, so is a very clear sign of monkeypox."
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