The United States is the latest to detect a case of rare monkeypox as the local health body, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, on Wednesday (May 18) stated that it had confirmed a single case of monkeypox virus infection in a man who had recently travelled to Canada.

The United States is the latest to detect a case of rare monkeypox as the local health body, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, on Wednesday (May 18) stated that it had confirmed a single case of monkeypox virus infection in a man who had recently travelled to Canada. Apart from the US, cases are rising in European countries as recently Spain and Portugal detected over 40 suspected cases of monkeypox. As quoted by news agency AFP, officials said that both outbreaks concentrated in the Madrid and Lisbon areas. The monkeypox outbreaks mostly occur in west and central Africa, and only very occasionally spreads elsewhere. As per a recent statement released on May 20, WHO stated that the recent outbreaks reported across 11 countries so far are atypical, as they are occurring in non-endemic countries. "There are about 80 confirmed cases so far, and 50 pending investigations. More cases are likely to be reported as surveillance expands," WHO noted. Here's a list of countries where the monkeypox outbreaks were detected (or suspected) recently United States United Kingdom Spain Portugal Canada Sweden Australia France Belgium Germany Italy ALSO READ | Russia-Ukraine war could cause mass hunger and famine due to food insecurity, UN warns As per health officials in Spain, some of these infections may be through sexual contact — in this instance among gay or bisexual men. Health authorities in the Madrid region said, "In general, its transmission is via respiratory drops but the characteristics of the 23 suspected infections point to it being passed on through bodily fluids during sex relations." "All of them are young adult males and most of them are men who have sexual relations with other men, but not all of them," Elena Andradas, head of public health in the Madrid region, told Cadena Ser radio. ALSO READ | Why mothers shouldn't make DIY baby formula at home? Here's what experts have to say Meanwhile, Portugal's health ministry said in a statement that "the cases were all among males, the majority of them young, who had ulcerated lesions." The information shared by the above-mentioned health authorities would be a new development in understanding how the virus is transmitted. WATCH | A 7-million-year-old fossil of a crocodile ancestor found in Peru × What is monkeypox what are the symptoms? The US agency explained that the monkeypox illness often starts with flu-like symptoms such as fever, muscle ache and swollen lymph nodes before causing a chickenpox-like rash on the face and body. Transmission usually happens due to close contact with infected animals such as rodents and monkeys and is limited between people. It has only been fatal in rare cases. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Rare monkeypox outbreaks: From US to Spain, list of countries where cases are detected recently

Health authorities in North America and Europe have detected dozens of suspected or confirmed cases of&nbsp;monkeypox&nbsp;since early May, sparking concern the disease endemic in parts of Africa is spreading.

Canada was the latest country to report it was investigating more than a dozen suspected cases of&nbsp;monkeypox, after Spain and Portugal detected more than 40 possible and verified cases.&nbsp;

Britain has confirmed nine cases since May 6, and the United States verified its first on Wednesday, saying a man in the eastern state of Massachusetts had tested positive for the virus after visiting Canada.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rare-monkeypox-outbreaks-from-us-to-spain-list-of-countries-where-cases-are-detected-recently-480319">Rare monkeypox outbreaks: From US to Spain, list of countries where cases are detected recently</a>

The illness, from which most people recover within several weeks and has only been fatal in rare cases, has infected thousands of people in parts of Central and Western Africa in recent years but is rare in Europe and North Africa.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Tuesday it was coordinating with UK and European health officials over the new outbreaks.

"We really need to better understand the extent of&nbsp;monkeypox&nbsp;in endemic countries... to really understand how much is circulating and the risk that it poses for people who are living there, as well as the risk of exportation," infectious disease epidemiologist Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove said at a WHO press conference on Tuesday on global health issues.

The first case in Britain was someone who had traveled from Nigeria, though later cases were possibly through community transmission, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said in a statement.

"These latest cases, together with reports of cases in countries across Europe, confirms our initial concerns that there could be spread of&nbsp;monkeypox&nbsp;within our communities," said UKHSA Chief Medical Adviser Dr. Susan Hopkins.

Watch |&nbsp;Rare monkeypox outbreak: The US reports the first case of monkeypox

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The WHO said it was also investigating that many cases reported were people identifying as gay, bisexual or men who have sex with men.&nbsp;

"We are seeing transmission among men having sex with men," said WHO Assistant Director-General Dr. Soce Fall at the press conference.

"This is new information we need to investigate properly to understand better the dynamic of local transmission in the UK and some other countries."

No risk to the public

The UKHSA noted that&nbsp;monkeypox&nbsp;has not previously been characterized as a sexually transmitted disease, underscoring that "it can be passed on by direct contact during sex."

"Anyone, regardless of sexual orientation, can spread&nbsp;monkeypox&nbsp;through contact with body fluids,&nbsp;monkeypox&nbsp;sores, or shared items (such as clothing and bedding) that have been contaminated with fluids or sores of a person with&nbsp;monkeypox," a US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) statement said Wednesday, adding that household disinfectants can kill the virus on surfaces.

The illness often starts with flu-like symptoms such as fever, muscle ache and swollen lymph nodes before causing a chickenpox-like rash on the face and body, the US agency explained.

The Massachusetts Department of Health, said that the case there,&nbsp;the first confirmed this year in the United States occurred in a patient who had recently traveled to Canada and "poses no risk to the public, and the individual is hospitalized and in good condition."

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/england-detects-four-more-cases-of-monkeypox-infection-479779">&nbsp;England detects four more cases of monkeypox infection</a>

Health authorities in Canada's Quebec province announced they were investigating at least 13 suspected cases of&nbsp;monkeypox, the public broadcaster CBC reported Wednesday.

The cases were flagged to Montreal authorities after diagnoses were made in several clinics specializing in sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections.

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) told CBC it had called on "public health authorities and laboratory partners across Canada to be alert for and investigate any potential cases."

According to the CDC, there were no reported cases of&nbsp;monkeypox&nbsp;for 40 years before it re-emerged in Nigeria in 2017.

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Health authorities in North America and Europe have detected dozens of suspected or confirmed cases of monkeypox since early May, sparking concern the disease endemic in parts of Africa is spreading.

Health authorities in North America and Europe have detected dozens of suspected or confirmed cases of monkeypox since early May, sparking concern the disease endemic in parts of Africa is spreading. Canada was the latest country to report it was investigating more than a dozen suspected cases of monkeypox, after Spain and Portugal detected more than 40 possible and verified cases. Britain has confirmed nine cases since May 6, and the United States verified its first on Wednesday, saying a man in the eastern state of Massachusetts had tested positive for the virus after visiting Canada. Also read | Rare monkeypox outbreaks: From US to Spain, list of countries where cases are detected recently The illness, from which most people recover within several weeks and has only been fatal in rare cases, has infected thousands of people in parts of Central and Western Africa in recent years but is rare in Europe and North Africa. The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Tuesday it was coordinating with UK and European health officials over the new outbreaks. "We really need to better understand the extent of monkeypox in endemic countries... to really understand how much is circulating and the risk that it poses for people who are living there, as well as the risk of exportation," infectious disease epidemiologist Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove said at a WHO press conference on Tuesday on global health issues. The first case in Britain was someone who had traveled from Nigeria, though later cases were possibly through community transmission, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said in a statement. "These latest cases, together with reports of cases in countries across Europe, confirms our initial concerns that there could be spread of monkeypox within our communities," said UKHSA Chief Medical Adviser Dr. Susan Hopkins. Watch | Rare monkeypox outbreak: The US reports the first case of monkeypox The WHO said it was also investigating that many cases reported were people identifying as gay, bisexual or men who have sex with men. "We are seeing transmission among men having sex with men," said WHO Assistant Director-General Dr. Soce Fall at the press conference. "This is new information we need to investigate properly to understand better the dynamic of local transmission in the UK and some other countries." No risk to the public The UKHSA noted that monkeypox has not previously been characterized as a sexually transmitted disease, underscoring that "it can be passed on by direct contact during sex." "Anyone, regardless of sexual orientation, can spread monkeypox through contact with body fluids, monkeypox sores, or shared items (such as clothing and bedding) that have been contaminated with fluids or sores of a person with monkeypox," a US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) statement said Wednesday, adding that household disinfectants can kill the virus on surfaces. The illness often starts with flu-like symptoms such as fever, muscle ache and swollen lymph nodes before causing a chickenpox-like rash on the face and body, the US agency explained. The Massachusetts Department of Health, said that the case there, the first confirmed this year in the United States occurred in a patient who had recently traveled to Canada and "poses no risk to the public, and the individual is hospitalized and in good condition." Also read | England detects four more cases of monkeypox infection Health authorities in Canada's Quebec province announced they were investigating at least 13 suspected cases of monkeypox, the public broadcaster CBC reported Wednesday. The cases were flagged to Montreal authorities after diagnoses were made in several clinics specializing in sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections. The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) told CBC it had called on "public health authorities and laboratory partners across Canada to be alert for and investigate any potential cases." According to the CDC, there were no reported cases of monkeypox for 40 years before it re-emerged in Nigeria in 2017. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US confirms its first monkeypox case as man tests positive after visiting Canada

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Rare monkeypox outbreaks: From US to Spain, list of countries where cases are detected recently

US confirms its first monkeypox case as man tests positive after visiting Canada