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EKO HOT BLOG reports that about 80 cases of monkeypox have been confirmed in 11 countries, the World Health Organization says, warning that more cases are likely to be reported.
The WHO says that another 50 suspected cases are being investigated, without naming any countries.
Earlier, infections were confirmed in Italy, Sweden, Spain, Portugal, the US, Canada and the UK – where the first European case was reported.
Monkeypox is most common in remote parts of Central and West Africa.
It is a rare viral infection which is usually mild and from which most people recover in a few weeks, according to the UK’s National Health Service.
The virus does not spread easily between people and the risk to the wider public is said to be very low.
There is no specific vaccine for monkeypox, but a smallpox jab offers 85% protection since the two viruses are quite similar.
In a statement on Friday, the WHO said that “the recent outbreaks reported across 11 countries so far are atypical, as they are occurring in non-endemic countries”.
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It said it was “working with the affected countries and others to expand disease surveillance to find and support people who may be affected”.
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