More than 700 monkeypox cases globally, 21 in US, says new report
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The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said on Friday that it was aware of more than 700 global cases of monkeypox including 21 in the United States, with investigations now suggesting it is spreading inside the country.
Sixteen of the first 17 cases were among people who identify as men who have sex with men, according to a new CDC report, and 14 were thought to be travel associated. All patients are in recovery or have recovered, and no cases have been fatal.
“There have also been some cases in the United States that we know are linked to known cases,” Jennifer McQuiston, deputy director of the CDC’s Division of High Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, told reporters.
“We also have at least one case in the United States that does not have a travel link or know how they acquired their infection.”
Monkeypox is a rare disease that is related to but less severe than smallpox, causing a rash that spreads, fever, chills, and aches, among other symptoms.
Generally confined to Western and central Africa, cases have been reported in Europe since May and the number of countries affected has grown since. Canada also released new figures Friday, counting 77 confirmed cases – almost all of them detected in Quebec province, where vaccines have been delivered.