US raises monkeypox alert level but says risk to public remains low

CDC warns travelers to avoid contact with sick people, with more than 1,000 cases in at least 29 countries

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has raised its monkeypox alert level and warned travellers to be mindful of approaching sick people, though it also said the risk to the general public remained low.

More than 1,000 monkeypox cases have been reported in at least 29 countries and every continent except Antarctica as of Monday. The US has seen 31 cases of the virus in 13 states, including seven in New York and six in California.