WASHINGTON: The United States on Thursday said it had identified nine monkeypox cases in seven states, some in individuals who did not have a recent history of international travel.
Most of the infections detected globally so far have not been severe. Many, but not all, have been reported in men who have sex with men. Symptoms include fever and a distinctive bumpy rash. Over 20 countries where monkeypox is not endemic have reported outbreaks of the viral disease, with about 200 confirmed and more than 100 suspected cases of infections, mostly in Europe. The World Health Organization urged countries to increase surveillance for monkeypox.Some of the nine cases identified as of Wednesday have a recent history of international travel to areas with active monkeypox outbreaks but"others do not", the CDC director said on Thursday.