A British tourist on holiday in the Canary Islands has tested positive for monkeypox. Spanish health chiefs in Fuerteventura confirmed the man is one of five suspected new cases.
The Canary Islands’ Health Service said: "A suspected case of monkeypox in Fuerteventura corresponds to a British tourist,"
His name and age are currently unknown, but he is thought to be the first British tourist to be tested for the virus abroad.
Confirmed monkeypox cases in the UK have more than doubled to 57. The figure, released by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), was an increase from the previously confirmed 20 cases.
A new theory has emerged about the spread of the disease. Professor David Heymann, the World Health Organisation’s former assistant director-general for health security and environment, is reported to have said a leading theory was sexual transmission at raves in Spain and Belgium.
Spain has so far confirmed around 40 cases of monkeypox and said another 67 people are being tested.
The outbreaks have been traced to an adult sauna in Madrid and a Gran Canaria pride festival attended by 80,000 people from Britain and other European countries.
Chief medical advisor Dr Susan Hopkins warned British tourists to be "alert to the virus" on holiday. She told the BBC: "The risk to the general population remains extremely low."
