Rare Monkeypox outbreaks: a list of nations where cases have been identified recently, ranging from the United States to Spain

The United States is the latest country to report a case of rare monkeypox, with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirming a case of monkeypox virus infection in a male who had just been to Canada on Wednesday (May 18).

Apart from the United States, incidents are increasing in Europe, with over 40 probable cases of monkeypox recently found in Spain and Portugal. Officials told the news agency AFP that both infections were localised in the Madrid and Lisbon districts.

Monkeypox outbreaks are usually found in west and central Africa, and it only spreads extremely rarely beyond.

According to a recent WHO statement issued on May 20, the new outbreaks reported in 11 countries are uncommon because they are occurring in non-endemic nations.

"So far, 80 cases have been confirmed, with another 50 under investigation. As surveillance expands, more cases are expected to be reported "WHO took a notice.

Here is a list of countries where monkeypox outbreaks have recently been detected (or suspected).

• United States
• United Kingdom
• Spain
• Portugal
• Canada
• Sweden
• Australia
• France
• Belgium
• Germany
• Italy

According to Spanish health officials, some of these illnesses are spread through sexual intercourse, namely among gay and bisexual men.

"In general, it is transmitted through respiratory droplets," noted health officials in the Madrid region, "but the characteristics of the 23 suspected infections lead to it being transmitted through bodily fluids during sex encounters."

"They're all young adult males, and the majority of them, are guys who have sexual encounters with other men," Elena Andradas, the head of public health in the Madrid region, said Cadena Ser radio.

"The instances were all among males, the majority of whom were young, who developed ulcerated lesions," Portugal's health ministry said in a statement.

The information provided by the above-mentioned health agencies would be a significant step forward in our understanding of how the virus spreads.

What are the symptoms of monkeypox?

The monkeypox illness frequently begins with flu-like indications like fever, muscle aches, and enlarged lymph nodes earlier causing a chickenpox-like rash on the face and body, according to the US agency.

Close contact with diseased animals such as rodents and monkeys causes transmission, which is limited between people. Only a few people have died as a result of it.