Monkeypox
MonkeypoxiStock

A second case of monkeypox was discovered on Saturday at Sheba Hospital in Tel Hashomer.

The patient arrived at the hospital on Friday, and was released to his home in light condition. After the results of his tests were analyzed, it became clear that he was indeed infected with the monkeypox virus. It was not stated under what circumstances the patient became infected.

The first case of monkeypox in Israel was diagnosed last week. The first patient is an Israeli citizen living in Nigeria, which is where he became infected and was diagnosed after arriving in Israel. He was placed in isolation in his home and his condition has improved since then.

Monkeypox is usually a mild viral illness, characterized by symptoms of fever as well as a distinctive bumpy rash.

The first European case was confirmed on May 7 in an individual who returned to England from Nigeria.

Senior World Health Organization (WHO) official Richard Pebody told Reuters last week that the WHO does not believe the monkeypox outbreak outside of Africa requires mass vaccinations.

Pebody, who leads the high-threat pathogen team at WHO Europe, also told the news agency in an interview that immediate supplies of vaccines and antivirals are relatively limited.