Monkeypox case confirmed in Cornwall

The disease causes a rash

The first case of monkeypox in a recent UK outbreak of the rare viral disease has been confirmed in Cornwall.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said the patient was self-isolating and the risk to others was low.

There have been more than 500 confirmed UK cases in recent weeks.

Specialists from the UKHSA were providing expert advice and support to partner organisations following the recent case, a spokesperson said.

Monkeypox is caused by the monkeypox virus, a member of the same family of viruses as smallpox, although it is much less severe.

It occurs mostly in remote parts of central and west African countries, but there have been unusually high numbers of people infected with monkeypox outside of Africa with no travel links to the region.

Symptoms of monkeypox include a rash which starts on the face and spreads to the body.

Anyone can get monkeypox, particularly if you have had close contact with an individual with symptoms.

Statistics showed there were two cases confirmed in the south west of England in the recent UK outbreak, up to 10 June, with a high proportion of cases in London residents.

However, the first case of monkeypox in the UK was identified in Cornwall back in 2018, the UKHSA said.