Monkeypox: First deaths outside Africa in Brazil and Spain

Brazil and Spain have reported their first monkeypox deaths. The virus killed a 41-year-old man in Brazil, making him the first victim outside of Africa. Soon after, Spain announced its first death, which is also the first in all of Europe. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak of monkeypox a global health emergency last week. However, infections are typically minor, and there is little risk to the general public.

The victim in Brazil had lymphoma, a compromised immune system, and "comorbidities aggravated his condition," according to the country's health ministry. 1,066 confirmed cases and 513 suspected cases of the virus have been reported in Brazil so far.

The first death caused by the virus in Europe was confirmed shortly after by Spain's health ministry. One person had died and 120 people, or 3.2%, of the 3,750 monkeypox patients with information, were hospitalised, according to a report. It didn't provide any more details about the victim. There are 21,148 cases worldwide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The monkeypox virus belongs to the same family of viruses as smallpox, but it is much less dangerous and there is little chance of contracting it, according to experts. It mostly occurs in isolated regions of central and west African nations, close to tropical rainforests.