First case of monkeypox registered in Denmark

Health authorities do not expect that the viral disease will lead to widespread societal infection

The Health Ministry has announced that the first case of monkeypox has been registered in Denmark.

A man has tested positive after showing symptoms following a trip to Spain and is currently at home in isolation. 

“The Danish Patient Safety Authority is handling infection tracing so close contacts will be guided about how to act,” said health minister, Magnus Heunicke.

“The health authorities do not expect that the viral disease will lead to widespread societal infection in Denmark, but we are following the situation closely in order to be prepared for an eventual development.”

READ ALSO: New COVID-19 sub-variants found in Denmark

Cases popping up across Europe
Monkeypox has been registered in Africa for many years and only rarely surfaces in Europe.

But as of yesterday, there were 59 confirmed cases across a number of EU countries.

Symptoms of monkeypox can include fever, chills and a rash with blisters that can cause sores when they heal.

Typically, the illness is mild, lasts about 2.4 weeks and the vast majority of patients in developed countries fully recover.