A second case of the monkeypox virus has been detected in Israel, as reported on Saturday afternoon.
The patient was hospitalized at Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, and is said to be in mild condition.
The country's first case was reported on May 20 amid a largely Europe-centered monkeypox outbreak.
Background
The Health Ministry has been quick to reassure the public that Israel is not dealing with a second COVID-19-style pandemic, with Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz taking to Twitter, explaining that “this is a disease, not a pandemic.”
“This is a disease, not a pandemic.”
Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz
“This is a known disease with, usually, light symptoms. [It] is not similar in any way to the coronavirus,” he wrote, adding that the ministry is prepared to deal with monkeypox, whatever shape a possible outbreak takes.
Monkeypox is one of several diseases grouped under the family of viruses known as Poxviridae, the most well-known of which is smallpox. Although there are several similarities between the two diseases, monkeypox is known to be far less contagious and less severe. However, they are still similar enough for the approved smallpox vaccine to be effective against it.
Shira Silkoff contributed to this report.