BEIRUT, Lebanon

Lebanon on Monday confirmed the country’s first case of monkeypox virus.

A statement by the Lebanese Health Ministry said the patient had come from abroad and is currently quarantined at home.

The ministry said it is following up those who came in contact with the patient and called for taking all necessary preventive measures.

Monkeypox is a virus transmitted to humans from animals, with symptoms including fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes.

Worldwide, the WHO knows of more than 1,600 confirmed cases of monkeypox in 39 countries – including seven countries where monkeypox has been detected for years, and 32 newly-affected countries.

The WHO said Europe remains the epicenter of the monkeypox outbreak, with 25 countries reporting more than 1,500 or 85% of the cases.

*Writing by Bassel Barakat