The World Health Organization does not have evidence that the monkeypox virus has mutated, a senior executive at the U.N. agency said on Monday, noting the infectious disease that has been endemic in west and central Africa has tended not to change.

Last week, a man in Massachusetts became the first person in the United States to be diagnosed with monkeypox since 2021. On May 22, U.S. health authorities announced they may have found the third documented case in a patient in South Florida.

Moderna, COVID-19 vaccine

White House COVID-19 response coordinator Dr. Ashish Jha said on May 22 he expects a U.S. Food and Drug Administration decision on authorizing Moderna’s vaccine for children under age five within the next few weeks.

The World Health Organization was due to hold an emergency meeting on May 20 to discuss the recent outbreak of monkeypox, a viral infection more common to west and central Africa, after more than 100 cases were confirmed or suspected in Europe.

The World Health Organization’s European chief said on May 20 he is concerned that the spread of monkeypox could accelerate in the region as people gather for parties and festivals over the summer months.

A man in Massachusetts became the first person reported to have a case of monkeypox in the United States since 2021. The man contracted monkeypox after traveling to Canada, although Quebec’s Ministry of Health and Social Services told CBC News that no cases had been reported to the agency. SIGA Technologies is prepared to provide treatment to those infected with monkeypox.

A smattering of monkeypox cases in Britain prompted authorities to offer a smallpox vaccine to some healthcare workers and others who may have been exposed, as a handful more cases were confirmed in parts of Europe.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health on May 17 said it had confirmed a single case of monkeypox virus infection in a man who had recently traveled to Canada.

Bavarian Nordic became the first company to win approval for the only vaccine designed to prevent smallpox and monkeypox disease in adults who are considered at high risk of the viruses.