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Monkeypox: Presumptive case investigated in Washington state’s King County

KING COUNTY, Wash. — Health officials in King County, Washington, confirmed Monday that they are investigating a presumptive case of the monkeypox virus.

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The suspected infection was reported to health officials on Sunday, KIRO-TV reported.

>> Related: Monkeypox: What is it, how dangerous is it, should you be concerned?

According to the TV station, the male patient recently traveled to Canada, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said more cases are expected.

The suspected King County monkeypox infection was reported less than an hour after health officials in South Florida confirmed they are now investigating Broward County and the state’s second presumptive case in as many days.

>> Related: Monkeypox: 2nd presumptive case investigated in Florida’s Broward County

Meanwhile, health officials in Massachusetts confirmed the first known 2022 U.S. case last week, and health officials in New York began investigating a presumptive case of the virus on Friday.

>> Related: First case of monkeypox in US this year confirmed in Massachusetts

>> Related: New York City health officials investigating suspected monkeypox case

According to WPLG, the presumptive Florida cases are part of the largest monkeypox outbreak ever seen outside of Africa, with at least 190 confirmed or suspected global cases.

In the past week, people who have never traveled to Africa have been infected and doctors are working to figure out if the virus is transmitted sexually, KIRO-TV reported.

Mostly young men from the United Kingdom, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Sweden and Canada have been infected to date, but France, Germany, Belgium and Australia each confirmed their first cases on Friday, the TV station reported.