The first ever instance in the UK of a disease called monkeypox has been recorded in Cornwall.
The disease is an exceptionally rare viral infection and was confirmed in Cornwall on Friday.
Public Health England (PHE) said the person, who has
The first ever instance in the UK of a disease called monkeypox has been recorded in Cornwall.
The disease is an exceptionally rare viral infection and was confirmed in Cornwall on Friday.
Public Health England (PHE) said the person, who has not been identified, was a Nigerian national staying at a naval base.
The patient was transferred to the expert infectious disease unit at the Royal Free Hospital in London on Saturday.
It is believed they contracted the infection in Nigeria before travelling to the UK.
PHE said monkeypox is a rare viral infection that does not spread easily between people. It is usually a mild self-limiting illness and most people recover within a few weeks.
However, severe illness can occur in some individuals.
Initial symptoms of monkeypox include fever, headache, aching muscles, backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills and exhaustion.
A rash can also develop, usually starting on the face before spreading to other parts of the body. It eventually forms a scab which falls off.
As a precautionary measure, people who might have been in close contact with the individual are being contacted by experts and the NHS.
This includes a number of passengers who travelled in close proximity to the patient on the same flight to London from Nigeria on Sunday, September 7.
The infection can be spread when someone is in close contact with an infected person but there is a very low risk of transmission to the general population.
Dr Michael Jacobs, clinical director of infection at the Royal Free Hospital, said: “Monkeypox is, in most cases, a mild condition which will resolve on its own and have no long-term effects on a person’s health. Most people recover within several weeks.
“It is a rare disease caused by monkeypox virus, and has been reported mainly in central and west African countries.
“It does not spread easily between people and the risk of transmission to the wider public is very low. We are using strict isolation procedures in hospital to protect our staff and patients.”
Dr Nick Phin, Deputy Director, National Infection Service at PHE, said: “It is important to emphasise that monkeypox does not spread easily between people and the overall risk to the general public is very low.
“Public Health England is following up those who have had close contact with the patient to offer advice and to monitor them as necessary.
“PHE and the NHS have well established and robust infection control procedures for dealing with cases of imported infectious disease and these will be strictly followed to minimise the risk of transmission.”