No. of Monkeypox Cases in Hungary has Increased to 42

Nine more men aged 23-50 have been confirmed to be infected with monkeypox in Hungary, bringing the number of infected cases to 42, the National Public Health Center (NNK) told the state news agency MTI on Thursday.

Between July 25 and 31, the infected persons visited their local health service with symptoms suggestive of monkeypox, where samples were taken in all cases for suspected monkeypox. Previously, 24 cases of infection were reported by NNK.

The infected are living in isolation at home, most of them live in Budapest. The regional epidemiological authority is conducting an epidemiological investigation of all patients, including contact tracing.

The disease starts with general, non-specific symptoms (fever, chills, muscle aches, back pain, headache, fatigue) and swelling of the lymph nodes, followed by a rash 1-3 days after the initial symptoms. Rashes often occur first on the face, then on the palms and soles, but can also appear on the mucous membranes of the mouth, genitals and around the rectum, the statement said.

The National Center for Public Health urges people to always seek medical advice if they develop a rash.