Spain: Doubts about monkeypox outbreak linked to saunas

Spanish health authorities say saunas in the Spanish capital have been forced to close because of a suspected link to the country's outbreak of monkeypox.

Several European countries have reported cases in recent days.

British authorities indicated that the most recent cases were found in men who identified themselves as gay or bisexual.

And the Paraiso sauna, in the heart of Madrid, announced that it would close its doors for health purposes, according to its account on the "Twitter" network.

And she added in a tweet: "Sauna Paraiso will remain closed for the next few days, as a precautionary measure due to the emergence of the so-called monkeypox infection in the Madrid area."

Enrique Ruiz Escudero, health official for the Madrid region, told reporters that the authorities had recorded 21 confirmed cases and 19 suspected cases.

"Most of the people who test positive have a connection to that source," he said, referring to the sauna.

Official figures often take time to be updated at the national level in Spain.

Monkeypox is not usually fatal, but it often presents with fever, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, chills, fatigue, and a chickenpox-like rash on the hands and face.

The virus can be transmitted through contact with skin lesions or droplets of bodily fluid from an infected person.

* From the Spanish "Local"

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