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A warning has been issued over monkeypox after a person in Cornwall has been diagnosed with the rare, potentially fatal disease.

The victim is currently receiving specialist medical care in hospital for the viral infection that can be transmitted to humans from animals, such as rodents and primates.

It is the first time ever this infection has been diagnosed in the UK, Public Health England (PHE) said.

The patient, whose gender has not been revealed, was staying at a naval base in Cornwall where they became ill.

They were then transferred to the expert infectious disease unit at the Royal Free Hospital, London, and are believed to be undergoing an incubation period.

(Image: Universal Images Group Editorial)

The victim is thought to have contracted the infection from their homeland of Nigeria, before travelling to the UK last week.

As a precautionary measure, people who might have been in close contact with the individual are being contacted by experts and the NHS.

This includes a number of passengers who travelled in close proximity to the patient on the same flight to London from Nigeria on Sunday, September 7.

Monkeypox is a rare viral infection that does not spread easily between people. It is usually a mild self-limiting illness and most people recover within a few weeks.

However, severe illness can occur in some individuals.

The infection can be spread when someone is in close contact with an infected person; however there is a very low risk of transmission to the general population.

(Image: Getty)

People without symptoms are not considered infectious but, as a precaution, those who have been in close proximity are being contacted to ensure that if they do become unwell they can be treated quickly.

If passengers are not contacted then there is no action they should take.

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

A rash can develop, often beginning on the face, then spreading to other parts of the body. The rash changes and goes through different stages before finally forming a scab, which later falls off.

Dr Michael Jacobs, clinical director of infection at the Royal Free Hospital, said: “Monkeypox is, in most cases, a mild condition which will resolve on its own and have no long-term effects on a person’s health. Most people recover within several weeks.

“It is a rare disease caused by monkeypox virus, and has been reported mainly in central and west African countries.

(Image: Universal Images Group Editorial)

“It does not spread easily between people and the risk of transmission to the wider public is very low. We are using strict isolation procedures in hospital to protect our staff and patients.”

Dr Nick Phin, Deputy Director, National Infection Service at PHE, said: “It is important to emphasise that monkeypox does not spread easily between people and the overall risk to the general public is very low.

“Public Health England is following up those who have had close contact with the patient to offer advice and to monitor them as necessary.

“PHE and the NHS have well established and robust infection control procedures for dealing with cases of imported infectious disease and these will be strictly followed to minimise the risk of transmission.”