Spain has reported the first monkeypox-related death in Europe from the current outbreak, and the second outside of Africa.
The country’s health ministry confirmed the death on Friday, but gave no further details about the person.
Brazil on Friday reported the first monkeypox-related death outside the African continent in the current outbreak.
In its latest report, Spain’s health ministry said 4,298 cases had been confirmed in the country.
Of the 3,750 patients for whom he had information, he said that 120 have been hospitalized – they represent 3.2% – and one has died, without giving further details.
The Brazilian victim was a 41-year-old man who, according to the country’s health ministry, also suffered from lymphoma and a weakened immune system.
“Comorbidities aggravated his condition,” the ministry said, adding that the patient was hospitalized in the southeastern city of Belo Horizonte and died of septic shock after being transferred to the intensive care unit.
Earlier this month, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the monkeypox outbreak a “global health emergency.”
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a news conference that while the risk globally is “moderate”, in Europe it is “high”.
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The WHO statement is designed to trigger an international response to the outbreak, which could unlock vaccine funding and sharing.
Monkey pox is very difficult to catch from someone and is mainly caught from infected wild animals in the West Central African region.
The virus can be spread from person to person through close physical contact, including sexual intercourse.
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The first cases of monkeypox infections were confirmed in England from May 6 this year.
The UK Health Safety Agency says that as of July 25, there were 2,367 confirmed and 65 highly probable cases of smallpox in the UK.
Of these, 59 were in Scotland, 18 in Northern Ireland, 30 in Wales and 2,325 in England.
Gay and bisexual men are disproportionately affected by the spread of the virus, with 98% of those infected in this group.
To slow its spread, the WHO advises gay men to limit their number of sexual partners.
Although most cases so far are among men who have sex with men, anyone exposed can get monkeypox.
Symptoms of the virus include unique genital lesions and sores in the mouth or anus, while the NHS website lists a high temperature, headache, muscle aches, back pain, swollen glands, tremors and exhaustion.