Europe and North America have detected dozens of cases of monkeypox, a virus that passes from infected animals such as rodents to humans, report said.

The World Health Organization said it was coordinating with health officials over the new outbreaks.

Canada was the latest country to report it was investigating more than a dozen suspected cases of monkeypox after Spain and Portugal detected more than 40 possible and verified cases. Sweden and Italy also reported its first case of monkeypox today.

The United States reported its first monkeypox case yesterday. A man in the eastern state of Massachusetts tested positive for the virus after visiting Canada.

Britain has confirmed nine cases since May 6, the report added.