PARENTS have been warned to be on the look out for monkeypox symptoms after 31 children in the US tested positive for the bug.
Across the country there have been a total of 21,504 confirmed cases of the illness.
In the UK there are now at least 3,279 known cases of the bug, with infections slowing in recent weeks.
It's been reported that up to 11 states and jurisdictions across the US have identified cases in youngsters.
California and New York have the largest amount of cases, with Texas also having widespread infections.
Data from the Texas Department of State Health states that there are nine paediatric cases in the area.
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In a statement this week John Hellerstedt, DSHS Commissioner in Texas said: "Monkeypox is a serious disease, particularly for those with weakened immune system.
"We continue to urge people to seek treatment if they have been exposed to monkeypox or have symptoms consistent with the disease."
The bug is more severe in young children and the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) has warned of preliminary evidence that has suggested children below the age of eight could develop a more severe reaction to the virus.
Young children with eczema and other skin conditions, and children with immunocompromising conditions may also be at more risk for severe illness, according to the CDC.
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Last month it was revealed that a two-year-old child in Texas had contracted the bug.
Judge Lina Hidalgo said the parents first noticed their child had a rash and took them to get checked out by a GP.
Aside from the rash, the child had been asymptomatic, ABC13 reported.
In July the first cases of monkeypox were reported in children in the US.
Health officials said children under eight are the most at risk of severe illness.
The 11 signs of monkeypox you need to know
Experts at the UK Health Security Agency have said all Brits should be on the look out for key signs and symptoms.
The signs may include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Backache
- Chills
- Exhaustion
- Night sweats
- Cold-like symptoms, such as congestion and runny nose
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Swollen groin
- Rashes and lesions
Medics said that complications of the illness were documented as:
- low mood
- severe pain
- conjunctivitis
An expert warned it was a “concerning development” suggesting the outbreak is “not under control”.
The US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) declared two infected kids – a toddler in California and a non-US resident but was tested in the Washington DC area.
The children were described as being in good health and receiving treatment.
How they caught the disease is being investigated, but officials believe it was from household members.
Gay and bisexual men have been dispropriatenly impacted by monkeypox since it spread globally this summer.
It is not considered a sexually transmitted infection (STI), however is mostly spreading through close sexual contact among in this group.
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Monkeypox can also spread through close skin-to-skin contact, by touching towels or bedding of an infected person – which means anyone can catch it.
There is also evidence it is airborne, therefore possible to catch from someone’s coughs or sneezes.
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