Monkeypox was first discovered in the late 1950s, but since then there are signs that it has undergone recent changes that have enabled it to pass more easily between humans.

Since May 2022 there have been a number of outbreaks reported worldwide with cases of infection.

Health officials say people should avoid close personal contact with someone who has an illness that appears with a distinctive rash.

This monkeypox rash is known to first appear on the face and has been described as resembling acne with other facial symptoms to be aware of.

The first symptoms of monkey pox

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is encouraging anyone who develops "a new, unexplained skin rash" on any part of the body to seek immediate medical attention and avoid contact with others.

Symptoms of monkeypox are similar to those of smallpox, including fever, headache, muscle aches, chills, and a rash that resembles a pimple.

"The rash usually starts on the face and spreads to many areas of the body," says the American Academy of Dermatology.

The health site continued: “People usually had between 10 and 150 smallpox-like bumps on their skin.

Some people developed more than 200 lumps."

According to Rosamund Lewis, head secretariat of the World Health Organization (WHO), a rash that appears begins as a red spot on the skin.

It usually starts on the face and then progresses to the arms and legs, then the hands and feet, and then the rest of the body.

This phase also lasts one to two days.

Then come what are called papules, when the rash is raised on the skin, instead of flat, also lasting one to two days.

A study published in the BMJ looked at 197 participants, all of whom had tested positive for leprosy.

All participants had skin or mucosal lesions as their only symptom.

These lesions were found to be located in the genital and anal areas, as well as in and around the mouth and throat.

These rashes around the anus and genitals did not always spread to other parts of the body and often appeared before symptoms such as fever, the researchers noted.

/Telegraph/