No cases of monkeypox have been reported in Bermuda despite outbreaks in other countries, the Ministry of Health said.

Kim Wilson, the health minister, added that officials were ready to recognise the virus and to take “appropriate action”.

She explained: “We are keeping a close eye on monkeypox and working closely with the Bermuda Hospitals Board to develop guidance for primary care providers and the Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory on sample handling.

“Additionally, the BHB pharmacy is actively exploring the procurement of vaccines that treat monkeypox.

“We are also working proactively with the Caribbean Public Health Agency, the Pan American Health Organisation and the UK Health Security Agency.”

Ms Wilson said: “Fortunately, monkeypox is still very rare, and no deaths have been reported. The risk to Bermuda is low.

“As patients develop a flu-like illness and a rash, clinical identification is relatively easy.

“Usually the virus causes fever, chills, rash and lesions on the face or genitals. Most people recover within several weeks without requiring hospitalisation.”

A BBC report said more than 80 cases of monkeypox have been confirmed in Europe, the US, Canada, Australia and Israel.

It added that the risk to the wider public was said to be low.

Ms Wilson said: “Our port health officials have been made aware of how to screen and recognise possible cases and take appropriate action.

“The Chief Medical Officer, Dr Ayoola Oyinloye, has advised healthcare professionals to identify and immediately isolate and report cases to local and regional health authorities.

“If Bermuda has a reported monkeypox case, the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital has appropriate isolation facilities to support treatment.”

You can read more about monkeypox on the Centres for Disease Control website.