Matt Hancock has warned of an ongoing outbreak of the Monkeypox virus in the UK.
The Health Secretary has told the Government's Health and Social Care Committee that Governments have to deal with outbreaks all the time, saying "at the minute I'm dealing with an outbreak of monkeypox, and cases of drug-resistant TB".
Monkeypox, according to the NHS website, is a rare disease caused by infection with the monkeypox virus. The NHS stresses most cases have been in Africa and the risk of catching it in the UK is "very low".
"There have only been a very small number of cases of monkeypox in the UK and that it is usually a mild illness that will get better on its own without treatment," the website reads.
However, the NHS also says "when there is a case, health professionals will aim to contact anyone who has been in close contact with the infected person".
It's usually a mild illness that will get better on its own without treatment. Some people can develop more serious symptoms, so patients with monkeypox in the UK are cared for in specialist hospitals.
What are the symptoms of Monkeypox?
The illness begins with:
- high temperature
- headache
- muscle aches
- backache
- swollen glands
- chills
- exhaustion
"A rash usually begins 1 to 5 days after the first symptoms appear. The spots often start on the face before spreading to other parts of the body," says the NHS.
"During the illness the rash changes from raised red bumps, to spots filled with fluid. The spots eventually form scabs which later fall off."
