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MORE than 50 people have been warned they may have been exposed to monkeypox after the first case of the deadly disease was recorded in the UK.

It is believed a Nigerian naval officer travelled to the UK on a commercial fight after contracting the disease.

The final stage of the virus involves scabs drying up and falling off
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The final stage of the virus involves scabs drying up and falling offCredit: Alamy

He stayed at a Royal Navy base in Cornwall while taking part in a training exercise before being confirmed to have the disease on Friday.

Public Health England has contacted passengers on the plane who were sat close to the man to warn they may have been exposed to the infection.

It is the first ever recorded case of monkeypox in the UK, Public Health England confirmed.

The victim was taken to hospital after he fell ill at the naval base.

In its early stages the virus develops as a rash
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In its early stages the virus develops as a rash
The risk to the wider public is thought to be low, because transfer requires close physical contact
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The risk to the wider public is thought to be low, because transfer requires close physical contactCredit: Alamy

The disease can be transmitted to humans from animals. Risk to the wider public is thought to be low.

Monkeypox has a mortality rate of between one and 10 per cent.

Transfer of the virus is usually only possible through close physical contact.

No other army personnel have developed symptoms.

What is monkeypox?

  • Has a mortality rate between one and 10 per cent
  • The rare disease is caused by a virus,
  • Cases are mainly reported in central and west Africa
  • The infection is spread through close physical contact
  • Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills and exhaustion
  • A rash can develop, often beginning on the face, then spreading
  • The rash develops into scabs, which later fall off
  • The rash can cause blindness or retinal scarring if it reaches the eyes

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Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills and exhaustion.

A painful rash and open sores can develop, usually starting on the face. If the rash spreads to the eyes it can cause blindness.

Monkeypox was first observed in the 1960s in monkeys. The first human case was diagnosed in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

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