DR Hilary Jones has warned the nation that the Monkeypox virus is an “unprecedented outbreak” and that it has become “more transmissible” today.

Speaking on Good Morning Britain this morning, Dr Jones MBE, a general practitioner and writer on medical issues, said that people need to be “vigilant” and know the symptoms.

Read more: The number of confirmed Monkeypox cases in the North East as health boss issues warning

He said that although there was “no great concern” for most people from the disease, he did warn that it has been an “unprecedented outbreak in 11 countries around the world.”

He added: “It suggest that it has also become a bit more transmissible.”

Mortality from the virus is currently at around 1% according to Dr Jones, but warned that people need to be aware of the “flu-like symptoms and a rash.”

Fever, headaches, backache, joint and muscle pains and a rash that looks like chicken pox are what people need to look out.

He added: “People need to self-isolate if they have been in a high-risk contact with someone with Monkeypox.

“We are adding supplies of small pox vaccine to people who are at high-risk, such as those working in the health service for example.

He confirmed that for most people there would be “no great concern” at the moment, but warned that we should “watch this space”, and we “need to be vigilant.”

One case of the disease has been confirmed in the North East and is currently being treated at Newcastle’s RVI.

The patient is being treated in a specialist infectious disease unit at the Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) in Newcastle.

As of Friday, May 20, there has been a further 11 additional cases of the disease detected in England.

Read more: New monkeypox guidance for close contacts includes 3 weeks of self isolation

The latest detected cases brings the total number of Monkeypox cases confirmed in England since May 6 to 20.

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