The first death from monkeypox in Europe has been confirmed in Spain.
Before Friday, the five deaths to have been recorded so far had been in Africa, but hours after Brazil noted their first fatality from the virus, the Spanish Ministry of Health announced the sad news.
In its latest health update, the Ministry said 4,298 cases had been confirmed in the country so far.
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120 people have been hospitalised so far in Spain.
Just days ago the World Health Organisation declared monkeypox as a global health emergency and in a statement said the outbreak has reached more than 70 countries and is an "extraordinary" situation that now qualifies as a global emergency.
The latest available data from the HPSC shows it has been notified of 69 confirmed cases of monkeypox in Ireland - while there have been more than 14,000 reported globally since May.
The interim Chief Medical Officer Dr Breda Smith said she would “strongly encourage those with symptoms of infection to seek medical advice and follow the public health guidance."
Meanwhile, the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) has said the vaccine should be offered to:
- Gay and bisexual men
- Men who have sex with men
- Those at high-risk of unprotected exposure
People in these groups will be offered two doses of the smallpox vaccine 28 apart “as soon as practicable.”
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