A second suspected case of monkeypox has been detected in Israel, the Israeli Health Ministry announced on Sunday.
The second patient, a 27-year-old sailor, arrived in Israel following a trip to Western Europe. He has been hospitalized in isolation at the Barzilai Medical Center in Ashkelon, according to Mako, which reported that he’s in good condition.
The first suspected case in Israel was detected on May 20, when a man in his 30s arrived at the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center-Ichilov Hospital with symptoms of infection.
On Saturday, the Health Ministry’s infectious disease committee held an emergency meeting.
Dr. Arnon Shahar, head of the Information and Digital Health Branch at Maccabi Healthcare Services, said there are no concerns about a large pandemic reminiscent of COVID-19, but added, “We must act in a focused and cautious manner,” according to Mako.
Sky News reported on Sunday that the World Health Organization has identified approximately 80 monkeypox cases globally, adding that there are around 50 additional suspected infections.
On Saturday, U.S. President Joe Biden said the outbreak is something “everybody should be concerned” about, adding that U.S. health officials are looking into possible treatments and vaccines, according to Reuters.
