Alarming monkeypox sign that can be mistaken for common condition

17 April 2024 , 14:50

838     0

Alarming monkeypox sign that can be mistaken for common condition

Active Brits suffering with a stiff neck or muscle pain have have been warned that it could potentially be a symptom of monkeypox following the discovery of a worrying new strain.

The World Health Organisation state that the signs and symptoms of the disease include those common conditions. WHO explain that they usually begin within a week but can start between one and 21 days after exposure. They add that symptoms typically last between two and four weeks but may last longer in someone with a weakened immune system.

Cases of killer infectious disease spiked in the UK as the virus spreads further around the country, leading an expert doctor to stress vaccinations are “crucial” - and other indicator to look out for include swollen lymph nodes and low energy. A rash, fever, a sore throat and a headache are also things to look out for.

Terrence Higgins Trust Chief Executive, Richard Angell, said: “In the first stages of mpox, you might have a fever, headache, aches and pains, or swollen glands. This usually progresses to developing a rash, sores, or spots - most commonly on the face, mouth, hands, genitals and the bum.”

Back pain and muscle aches could by a symptom (Getty Images)

It comes after a the news a worrying new strain of monkeypox with "pandemic potential" has been discovered by scientists. Researchers have called for “swift action” from the international community to avoid another outbreak of the virus, which is now officially known as mpox.

'Syndrome Celine Dion diagnosed with left me unable to put my socks on'

It was announced after a study tracked a new outbreak in a mining town in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Authorities in the country have for the latest been battling a variant of mpox called "clade 1" for around a year. This variant is thought to kill 10% of all people who become infected - and researchers have now uncovered a mutated version of it which appears to be better at spreading. It's been named "clade 1b", and was discovered in Kamituga, a town of 13,995 people.

The concerning findings were discussed at a meeting of health ministers held by the Africa Centres for Disease Control last week, according to The Telegraph. In the new paper, the scientists warned: "Without intervention, this localised Kamituga outbreak harbours the potential to spread nationally and internationally.

Experts have called for 'swift action' to avoid another outbreak of the virus (Getty Images)

Given the recent history of mpox outbreaks in DRC, we advocate for swift action by endemic countries and the international community to avert another global mpox outbreak." The new mutant strain is thought to have first emerged in animals, before later spreading to humans between July and September last year. In the mining town, approximately 30% of all cases were found to be in sex workers.

Monkeypox symptoms

• Rash
• Fever
• Sore throat
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Back pain
• Low energy
• Swollen lymph nodes

Sam Elliott-Gibbs