Monkeypox spreads to two European capital cities amid fears of possible outbreaks – World News

At least three capitals in Europe have suspected or confirmed cases of monkeypox as the virus continues to spread.

Monkeypox is now suspected or confirmed to have spread to at least three European capitals, as cases continue to rise in Britain.

London, Lisbon and Madrid have all confirmed or said they have suspected monkeypox.

The UK continues to monitor the emerging virus believed to have originated in Central and West Africa.

Currently, London has 6 confirmed cases, Lisbon has 5 confirmed cases but 15 more are suspected and today officials in Madrid announced that they are investigating 8 suspected cases. .

A spokesman for the Madrid regional health department confirmed the suspected cases of monkeypox and was being analyzed to confirm the diagnosis.

They said: “In general, monkeypox is transmitted by the respiratory tract, but the characteristics of the eight suspected cases are due to contact with liquids.

“Eight suspected cases in Madrid are among men who have sex with men. They are doing well but the illness may require hospital treatment.”

They added that a nationwide alert had been issued.

Lisbon is one of only two regions in Portugal to have an outbreak of smallpox in monkeys, along with the Tagus Valley.

The Portuguese authorities confirmed the cases today and said that all the men involved symptoms included ulcerative lesions.

Their spokesman said that similar to in the UK, infected men have cases of ulcerative lesions and they are monitoring the situation at the national level and in conjunction with European organisations.

Before the infection spread recently, monkeypox had only been detected in four countries outside of Africa: the UK, the US, Israel and Singapore.

And all of these cases have travel links back to Nigeria and Ghana.

Similar to what was reported in Spain, the UK Health Security Service said all four men with the most recent cases were identified as gay or bisexual and had sex with one another. other men.

The UK’s health leaders say the risk to the general population is low.

Dr Susan Hopkins, Chief Medical Adviser, UKHSA, said: “This is very rare and unusual. UKHSA is rapidly investigating the source of these infections as evidence suggests there may be community transmission of monkeypox virus, which is spread by close contact.

“We strongly urge gay and bisexual men to be aware of any unusual rashes or lesions and to contact sexual health care immediately.

“We are contacting any potential close contacts of the cases to provide health information and advice.”

Mateo Prochazka, an STI specialist and head of the UKHSA team investigating the outbreak, said the pattern of transmission was “very suggestive of sexual transmission”.