First deaths of monkeypox patients outside Africa reported in Spain, Brazil

Monkeypox has been described as 'a new global health emergency' by the WHO. © Shutterstock _ Tatiana Buzmakova

Spain and Brazil reported their first monkeypox-related deaths on Friday, marking what are thought to be the first non-African fatalities linked to the current outbreak of the disease.

Spain is one of the world's worst-hit countries, with 4,298 people infected with the virus, according to the health ministry's emergency and alert coordination centre.