Peru to raise health alert for monkeypox outbreak

Peruvian Health Minister said that authorities are preparing measures to raise an alert amid an outbreak of monkeypox cases in Europe and the US.

The alert will take effect on Friday, but airports are testing passengers who present symptoms of the disease, he said. While no cases have yet been detected in the Andean country, the prime minister described the alert as preventative measures.

Outbreaks of monkeypox, a viral disease, are typically limited to Africa. Monkeypox typically causes fever, chills, a rash and lesions on the face or genitals resembling those caused by smallpox.

A vaccine developed against smallpox has been approved for monkeypox, and several anti-viral also appear to be effective. Most people recover from monkeypox within weeks, but the World Health Organization says the disease is fatal for up to one in 10 infected people.

Sporadic cases of monkeypox have been seen previously in countries including Britain and the US, but nearly all have been in people who were likely infected during their travels in Africa.