Photo/Illutration An electron microscope shows monkeypox virions. (Provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Japan confirmed its first case of monkeypox in a Tokyo resident in his 30s who recently traveled to Europe.

The man stayed in Europe from late June through mid-July and came into contact with a monkeypox patient during that period, the health ministry said on July 25.

After returning to Japan, the man developed a fever, rash and headache and felt fatigued. He visited a medical institution on July 25 and tested positive for the monkeypox virus.

The man is currently receiving treatment at a hospital in Tokyo and his condition is stable, according to the ministry.

Health officials are investigating if anyone has come into close contact with him. The ministry did not disclose the man's nationality.

At a news conference on July 26, health minister Shigeyuki Goto urged the public not to panic because the impact of the first confirmed case of monkeypox on the nation's health care system is limited at this point.

“It will not immediately lead to a large outbreak as the novel coronavirus did,” he said.

Goto earlier met with officials of affected government ministries and agencies to discuss responses to the first monkeypox case.

The officials agreed that they will do their utmost in treating the patient, identifying his close contacts and taking other measures to prevent a further spread of the virus. They also decided to highlight the difference between monkeypox and COVID-19 when informing the public of the infection situation.

The attendees confirmed that they will allow researchers to administer smallpox vaccines and medicines believed to be also effective against monkeypox to participants of their clinical trials conducted across the country.

The officials also agreed that they will swiftly decide whether to allow “high risk” people who come into contact with those infected with the monkeypox virus to receive vaccinations in advance.

Under the nation’s Infectious Disease Prevention Law, monkeypox is designated as a Class 4 infectious disease, along with rabies. The law requires doctors to report any cases they diagnosed as monkeypox to a public health center.

The monkeypox virus spreads to humans mostly through contact with animals carrying the virus. Human-to-human transmission is considered rare, but it can occur through contact with patients’ bodily fluids and blood.

Monkeypox cases have been rising, mainly in the United States and Europe, since May. Many patients have mild symptoms and have recovered from the viral disease.

The World Health Organization on July 23 declared the current monkeypox outbreak a "public health emergency of international concern."

The Japanese government convened a meeting of concerned government ministries and agencies on July 25. The attendees agreed to prepare to build a system to conduct testing and treat patients in the event of an outbreak.

The same day, the Foreign Ministry issued an overseas travel warning urging travelers to exercise extra caution regarding monkeypox.

The warning, the lowest “level 1” on a 4-scale system, applies to trips to all countries and regions.

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