First case of the rare monkeypox virus was reported in Singapore. It was brought in by a Nigerian man, Reuters reported.

The infected patient was a 38-year-old Nigerian who arrived in Singapore in late April.  Investigations suggest 23 persons had been in close contact with the patient while he was in Singapore.

The patient may have eaten bushmeat

Authorities said prior to his arrival in Singapore the man attended a wedding in Nigeria where he may have eaten bushmeat which could be the source of the virus transmission. Bushmeat  can be chimpanzee, gorilla, antelope, birds or rodent.

What is monkeypox

Monkeypox is a virus similar to the human smallpox which was eradicated in 1980. It does not spread easily from person to person, but can in rare cases be fatal.

The disease typically lasts for two to four weeks, starting as a fever and headache and progressing through to small bumps called pustules that spread over the body.

Sporadic human cases of monkeypox have been reported in west and central Africa since the 1970s, and in 2003, the first cases outside of Africa were reported in the United States.