Spain has recorded the highest number of monkeypox cases in Europe since the start of the current outbreak in April 2022.
A total of 8,101 cases have been reported, nearly double that of another popular British tourist destination on the list – France.
So far in 2024, there have been 260 confirmed cases, with almost half in the Spanish capital of Madrid. Ninety percent of those were unvaccinated.
Nearly all (98 percent) of cases are in males aged between 6 and 68 years, although six out of ten were between 30 and 49 years old, bringing the average age to 37.
This year has seen 260 confirmed cases with nearly half in the Madrid area and 90% of those affected were unvaccinated.
Three out of four presented general symptoms, such as fever (the most frequent), asthenia, sore throats, muscle pain or headache,
Rashes that developed were located in the anogenital area in 76.1% of cases.
Of the 213 out of 260 infections this year, 16.4% of people reported having had close contact with a probable or confirmed case.
The most likely form of transmission was sexual intercourse in 80% of monkeypox infections with the overwhelming number of cases involving gay or bi-sexual men.
According to the NHS, monkeypox is commonly found in west or central Africa but there has been an increase of cases throughout Europe, although the risk in the UK is still assessed as being low.
The outbreak of monkeypox around the world has sparked concern amongst health agencies, with the World Health Organisation (WHO) considering a declaration of a global health emergency.
Monkeypox is an infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus. It can cause a painful rash, enlarged lymph nodes and fever. Most people fully recover, but some get very sick.
According to the NHS website explains that the virus can be passed from person to person through any close contact, touching clothing, bedding or towels of infected people as well as through coughs and sneezes.
In central and west Africa, the virus can also be caught from rodents.
Anybody concerned about the virus or who believes they may have symptoms can find out more at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/mpox/