It is understood to be Europe’s first known death and the second outside of Africa in the current outbreak – with Spain revealing 4,298 cases have so far been notified
Traditionally, people with monkeypox have developed a fever, swollen lymph nodes, headaches, and muscle aches followed by a rash (Spain has reported its first monkeypox-related death, the Spanish Health Ministry said.
It is understood to be Europe’s first known death and the second outside of Africa in the current outbreak.
The five previously reported deaths were all in African nations.
Spain’s Ministry of Health confirmed the fatality today as it revealed that 4,298 cases have so far been notified.
It gave no details about the person who had died and when it had happened.
Only 64 of the confirmed cases in Spain have been women.
Earlier this month when the number of confirmed cases stood at just over 3,000 in Spain, it was identified as the monkeypox world leader.
The earliest cases in May were linked to a gay sauna in Madrid and a Pride festival in Gran Canaria.
Brazil also reported its first monkeypox death earlier on Friday.
The man who died was described as a 41-year-old who also suffered from lymphoma and a weakened immune system.
Last week the World Health Organisation declared monkeypox a global health emergency, meaning it now views the current outbreak as enough of a significant threat that a coordinated international response is needed.
The WHO announcement came after the virus spread to more than 75 countries.
The organization’s Director General Dr. Tedros Adhanmon Ghebreyesus said at the time the risk of people catching the virus in Europe was “high”.
Traditionally, people with monkeypox have developed a fever, swollen lymph nodes, headaches, and muscle aches.
The symptoms are followed by a rash that starts on their face or mouth and then spreads to other parts of their body – particularly the hands and feet.
However, in some recent cases, patients first experienced a rash in the mouth or around the genitals or anus.
Health bosses have also stressed it’s important to check for symptoms of proctitis, anal or rectal pain or bleeding – especially if the individual has had a new sexual partner recently.
Test tube labeled “Monkeypox virus positive” as cases continue to spread (Image: REUTERS)
These additional symptoms will help both individuals and clinical professionals identify monkeypox symptoms.
However, the majority of people with monkeypox can safely manage their symptoms at home as there have been no deaths in the UK.
Most people experience mild disease but it can cause a significant illness in some requiring hospitalization for symptoms such as severe pain.
Meera Chand, Director of Clinical and Emerging Infections at UKHSA, said: “We continue to see new diagnoses of monkeypox, passed on primarily through close or sexual contact.
“We have updated our case definitions to reflect the clinical presentations that have been seen during this outbreak.
Source: Mirror
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