Health officials investigate potential link to recent outbreaks in Europe as man is hospitalised.

A man in Massachusetts has been diagnosed with monkeypox after recently travelling to Canada, marking the first reported case of the disease in the United States this year. Health officials are currently investigating whether this case is connected to the small outbreaks seen in Europe, particularly in the United Kingdom, Portugal, and Spain.

Monkeypox, a rare viral illness, is typically confined to Africa, with sporadic cases in other regions usually linked to travel. This U.S. case has prompted collaboration between U.S. health authorities, their counterparts in the U.K., and Canadian officials. Despite the investigation, authorities have assured the public that there is no risk from this particular case. The patient, who is hospitalised in stable condition, is receiving care but is not in critical danger.

This is the first instance of monkeypox reported in the U.S. this year, with the last cases seen in 2021 in Texas and Maryland, both involving travellers returning from Nigeria. Monkeypox begins with flu-like symptoms and swollen lymph nodes, followed by a distinctive rash on the face and body. While the virus typically spreads in Africa through bites from rodents or small animals, the current European outbreaks have mostly affected gay and bisexual men, with some infections believed to have been transmitted through close contact during sexual activity.

Although monkeypox is related to smallpox, it is less contagious. The World Health Organization states that most people recover within weeks, though it can be fatal in up to 10% of cases.