France has detected 51 cases of monkeypox, French health authorities said Friday, as the number of confirmed infections worldwide rises.
The European country reported its first cases in May, and its last total was 33 confirmed cases on Wednesday.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday it was aware of more than 700 global cases of monkeypox, including 21 in the United States.
The French national public health agency said the cases were all men, aged between 22 and 63, and only one had been hospitalised and then discharged.
The rare disease, which is not usually fatal, often manifests itself through fever, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes, chills, exhaustion and a chickenpox-like rash on the hands and face.
The disease is endemic to parts of Central and West Africa but is rare in Europe and North Africa.
According to the World Health Organization, monkeypox usually clears up after two to four weeks.
French Health Minister Brigitte Bourguignon said last week that officials did not expect an “outbreak” and that the country had enough vaccine stocks.
France has recommended that adults get vaccinated, including health professionals, if they have contact with infected individuals.
