Countries on monkeypox alert as cases grow after infected man travelled from Nigeria to UK

Most of the cases have been in gay or bisexual men.

The United States confirmed its first case of monkeypox, a rare viral disease, after new cases emerged in Europe.

The United Kingdom was the first to confirm a case of monkeypox after a man arrived from Nigeria. Eight other UK cases have been found since then.

The UK Health Security Agency said that the two newest cases have no travel links to a country where monkeypox is endemic.

The latest ones don't have any known links with previous confirmed cases.

Some of the infections may have been caused by sexual contact among gay or bisexual men, with four of the UK cases identified among people who visited sexual health clinics after developing the rash associated with monkeypox.

People who are gay, bisexual or MSM are advised by the agency to be alert to any unusual rash or blisters on their body because the virus can spread through close contact.

The World Health Organisation said in a statement on Wednesday that the extent of local transmission is unclear and there is the possibility of identification of further cases.

In Spain, health authorities issued an alert after 23 people showed symptoms compatible with the monkeypox.

The health ministry cautioned that the suspected cases in the Madrid region had yet to be confirmed, but said a nationwide alert had been issued to guarantee a swift, coordinated and timely response.

Portugal has identified five cases of monkeypox.

The US reported a case of a Massachusetts man who recently traveled to Canada. Health officials are looking into the possibility that it is related to the European outbreak.

The man traveled to meet friends at the end of April and returned in May. The CDC said he used private transportation.

The US health officials are in contact with the UK and Canada.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is preparing for the possibility of more cases.

Texas and Maryland reported cases of people who traveled to Nigeria.

The same family of viruses is responsible for monkeypox.

There are two main strains, the West African strain and the more severe one, the Congo strain, which has a mortality rate of 10%.