Israel reports first case of monkeypox, suspects more

Israeli authorities say they have discovered the country’s first case of monkeypox in a man who returned from abroad and are investigating other suspected cases.

Israel’s Health Ministry said late Saturday the man was in good condition at a Tel Aviv hospital. She urged all returnees from abroad with a fever and lesions to see a doctor.

Sharon Alroy-Price, the ministry’s director of public health, told Israeli Army Radio on Sunday that medical teams were investigating other suspected cases of monkeypox.

Israel’s case appeared to be the first to be identified in the Middle East.

The World Health Organization has identified about 80 cases and about 50 other suspected cases worldwide.

Cases of the smallpox-related illness have so far only been observed in people with connections to Central and West Africa. But the UK, Spain, Portugal, Italy, the US, Sweden and Canada all reported infections, mainly among young men who had not previously traveled to Africa. France, Germany, Belgium and Australia have also identified cases.

The virus originates from primates and other wild animals and causes fever, body aches, chills and fatigue in most patients. People with severe cases can develop a rash and lesions on the face, hands, and other parts of the body.