New York City Investigates Possible Monkeypox Case Amid Outbreak – WSJ

Officials in New York said they were monitoring a suspected case of monkeypox, as an outbreak of a disease rarely detected outside of Africa was confirmed in more countries.

State officials had been monitoring two New York City residents for possible infection with monkeypox. Preliminary testing ruled out one case, officials said late Friday, while the second tested positive for the family of viruses that includes monkeypox and exhibited illness consistent with the disease. Confirmation of the case was pending further testing, said New York health commissioner Mary T. Bassett.

Globally, 37 cases have been confirmed, and 71 are under investigation in countries where monkeypox isn t endemic, the World Health Organization said. Germany, Australia, France and Belgium reported their first cases Friday. There are two confirmed cases and dozens of suspected cases in Canada, authorities there said.

Another tally, from the non-profit Global.health, counted at least 143 confirmed or suspected cases reported in Europe, North America, Australia and Israel since May 6. The data platform, created by researchers from several universities and health institutions, tracks reports from local health authorities.

via www.wsj.com