First case of monkeypox recorded in Europe

The first case of “monkeypox” has been reported outside Africa. The BBC reports this according to the Swedish Ministry of Health.

They report the first case outside of Africa of a new, more contagious variant of monkeypox. They say the person became ill in Africa, where a new variant of monkeypox is spreading rapidly.

The announcement by the Swedish Ministry of Health came hours after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared an outbreak of monkeypox in parts of Africa a global public health threat.

According to available information, the initial outbreak has killed 450 people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and has spread to other parts of Central and East Africa.

The disease causes cold-like symptoms, skin irritation and can be fatal: Monkey flower has been linked to four deaths in 100 human cases.