China reports its first case of monkeypox infection, patient showed symptoms in quarantine

China reported its first imported case of the monkeypox virus infection on Friday in an individual who arrived from abroad. This is mainland China's first known monkeypox infection amid the recent global outbreak of the virus. The man was put in quarantine upon arrival in Chongqing to ensure the transmission risk is low, the municipal health commission said in a statement. All close contacts have been isolated and are under medical observation.

The concerned person entered Chongqing city in transit from abroad and started to show symptoms, such as a skin rashesduring the quarantine period for COVID-19, according to the statement.

Around 90 countries where monkeypox is not endemic have reported outbreaks of the viral disease, which the World Health Organization has declared a global health emergency. There have been more than 60,000 confirmed cases and some non-endemic countries have reported their first related deaths.

The monkeypox virus, which is transmitted through close contact with infected people, animals or contaminated materials, usually causes symptoms similar to but milder than those of smallpox, such as fever, headache and rashes.

(With inputs from agencies)