The rare and potentially dangerous monkeypox has been confirmed in the US after infections were reported across Europe.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the man is receiving treatment in a hospital after recently traveling to Canada. The Department of Health said there was no risk to the public.

There have been scattered cases in Europe, including seven in the UK and others in Portugal and Spain. Up to 13 cases in Montreal are being investigated by health officials in Canada.

relates to Monkeypox Found in US and UK: What Is It and Should You Be Worried?

Should you be worried about monkeypox?

What is monkeypox?

Monkeypox is a rare, usually mild, disease that can be caught from animals in Africa. The first human case of the disease was recorded in 1970, according to the CDC. According to the UK's National Health Service website, the disease causes a rash that often begins on the face.

How can you catch it?

Monkeypox can be caught from a bite by an animal, or from touching its blood, body fluids or fur. It is thought to be spread by rodents. It is possible to catch the disease by eating meat that has not been cooked properly.

It's very rare to catch monkeypox from a human because it doesn't spread easily between people. It is possible to spread the disease through touching clothing, bedding or towels used by someone with the rash. Getting too close to coughs and sneezes from an infectious person can transmit the disease.

What are the symptoms of monkeypox?

The first symptoms of monkeypox can take between five and 21 days to appear. There are a lot of things that include a cold, a throbbing head, a sore back, and exhaustion.

A rash usually appears one to five days after the event. The rash can be confused with chickenpox because it starts as raised spots which turn into small blisters filled with fluid.

Can monkeypox kill you?

According to the World Health Organization, the disease kills as many as one in 10 people in central Africa. Most patients recover within a few weeks.

Is there a cure?

There is no specific treatment for monkeypox. Patients will need to stay in a specialist hospital if they have an illness that can be treated.