US CDC confirms the first case of monkeypox in Massachusetts|Cyclical core|CC BY-SA 3.0
Health officials confirmed the first case of the monkeypox virus in Massachusetts on Wednesday.
The state health officials and the CDC are investigating a case of the virus identified in a man who recently traveled to Canada.
What is monkeypox?
Monkeypox is a viral illness that starts with flu-like symptoms and later includes rashes on the face and body. It also causes swelling of the lymph nodes.
Typically found in Africa, the illness is spreading in European countries like the United Kingdom, Portugal, Spain, Italy and Sweden.
The UK has confirmed nine cases since May 6. Canada recently confirmed its first two cases of the illness in Quebec.