The Ministry of Health and Prevention has reoprted the UAE’s first case of viral zoonotic disease monkeypox in a 29-year-old visitor from West Africa.

The visitor, a woman is currently receiving the required medical care in the country.

The case was detected as part of the ministry’s early monitoring system that was activated when monkeypox cases were reported in multiple countries around the world.

The ministry has reassured residents that it is following all due safety measures, including investigation, contact tracing and follow-up.

"We have put in place precise mechanisms for diagnosing suspected patients. The technical advisory team for pandemic control has also prepared a comprehensive guide for surveillance, early detection of the disease, management of clinically infected patients and precautionary measures," the ministry had said earlier.

The ministry has called on residents not to promote or be misled by rumours and to take information from official sources only.

WHO has registered more than 250 confirmed and suspected monkeypox infections worldwide as of date.

Dozens of monkeypox cases have been reported in multiple countries in Europe, and the outbreak has since spread to North America and Australia.

Transmission of monkeypox virus occurs when a person comes into contact with the virus from an animal, human, or materials contaminated with the virus. The virus enters the body through broken skin (even if not visible), respiratory tract, or the mucous membranes (eyes, nose, or mouth).

The incubation period (time from infection to symptoms) for monkeypox is usually 7−14 days but can range from 5−21 days.