Two more cases of monkeypox confirmed in Scotland by health bosses, bringing the total number to ten

Two further cases of monkeypox have been confirmed in Scotland, health bosses have confirmed.

Public Health Scotland confirmed in its latest update, as of 12pm on June 5, the total number of confirmed cases was ten – two weeks after the first case of monkeypox in Scotland was identified.

The individuals are receiving care and treatment appropriate to their condition in line with nationally agreed protocols and guidance.

Close contacts of the cases are being identified and provided with health information, advice and, where appropriate, a vaccine.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) also detected 73 additional cases of monkeypox in England, and a further two in Wales.

There are currently 287 confirmed cases in England, ten in Scotland, two in Northern Ireland and three in Wales.

This brings the total number confirmed in the UK to 302 as of June 5.

While anyone can get monkeypox, people who are gay or bisexual and men who have sex with men remain disproportionately affected.

Investigations continue but currently no single factor or exposure that links the cases has been identified.

The strain present in the UK is described as “mild self-limiting illness, spread by very close contact with someone already infected and with symptoms.”

Recovery time for those infected is generally around two weeks.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms include a blister-like rash or small number of blister-like sores can develop, often beginning on the face, then spreading to other parts of the body, including the genital area.

They may also include: