BRITS travelling to Barcelona should be wary of a new outbreak of mpox, health authorities have warned.
Six people have contracted the contagious infection – previously known as monkeypox – in the popular holiday destination that saw an explosion of cases last summer.
Mpox produces a rash fluid-filled blisters in sufferers, which often begins on the face and then spreads to other parts of the body.
Cases of it were reported in multiple countries starting in May 2022, including the UK, the majority affecting gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men.
Though cases across the world have dipped in recent months, The Barcelona Public Health Agency (ASPB) recently declared an outbreak in the city after spotting six cases of the contagious virus in July and August.
According to the El Periódico newspaper, the six cases that have been detected so far are unrelated from each other, leading health officials to suspect there could be community transmission.
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In an interview with RAC1 radio, Catalan public health surveillance official Jacobo Mendioroz said that the odds of there being an outbreak like last summer's "are very remote."
He added that four of the six cases had been diagnosed in August.
According to Catalan News, over 2,000 people were diagnosed with mpox in the Catalonia region of Spain by the end of September 2022, and 9,700 had received vaccines to combat the infection.
Mpox is typically passed from person to person from physical contact or sharing clothing and bedding.
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You can get it if:
- you have any close physical contact with someone with mpox blisters or scabs – this includes sexual contact, kissing, cuddling or holding hands
- you touch clothing, bedding or towels used by someone with mpox
- someone with mpox coughs or sneezes when they're close to you
Eight new infections were spotted in the UK between June 1 and 30 this year, prompting medics to urge those at risk to get vaccinated against the virus.
But the NHS still warns that the risk of contracting mpox in the UK is low.
At its peak last year, mpox was infecting 350 people per week, according to UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) figures.
What are the symptoms of mpox?
PEOPLE infected with mpox will usually start to experience symptoms five to 21 days after initial infection.
The NHS says the first warning signs are:
- a high temperature
- a headache
- muscle aches
- backache
- swollen glands
- shivering (chills)
- exhaustion
- joint pain
A rash usually appears one to five days after the first symptoms, often beginning on the face, then spreading to other parts of the body.
This can include the mouth, genitals and anus. You may also have anal pain or bleeding from your bottom.
The rash is sometimes confused with chickenpox, starting as raised spots, which turn into small blisters filled with fluid.
These blisters eventually form scabs which later fall off.
Symptoms usually clear up in a few weeks.
Bear in mind that while you have symptoms, you can pass mpox on to other people.
Source: NHS
The NHS mpox outbreak vaccination programme ended 31 July 2023. But it is still available in London to eligible people who:
- live in London
- regularly travel to London to have sex
- regularly travel to other countries to have sex
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the virus is similar to human smallpox.
While it is much milder, it can be fatal.
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