The number of reported cases of monkeypox in the United States is now at 12, with a second suspected case identified in Colorado.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment said Friday the new case involves a “young adult male who sought care in the Denver area and is improving and self-isolating at home.”
The young man was in close contact with a man who recently traveled to Canada and is believed to have contracted the first case of monkeypox in Colorado.
Both cases await confirmation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Two cases each have also been reported in the states of California. Florida and Utah.
New York, Washington, Massachusetts and Virginia each have one reported case.
Meanwhile, Ireland confirmed its first case on Saturday, according to Archyde.com. Another suspected case is also under investigation.
The World Health Organization says about 200 cases of monkeypox have been reported in more than 20 countries that are not generally known to have outbreaks of the disease.
Monkeypox produces skin lesions and usually leaves patients with flu-like symptoms. It was first identified in monkeys and rarely spreads outside Africa, making the latest surge of cases alarming for health officials.