A possible case of monkeypox is being investigated in New York City as the outbreak spreads

Officials in New York City said they were monitoring a suspected case of monkeypox as an outbreak of a disease rarely found outside of Africa was confirmed in more countries.

The New York patient was treated at Bellevue Hospital, where city health officials said they conducted preliminary tests to confirm if the person had monkeypox. Thirty-seven cases have been confirmed worldwide, and 71 are being investigated in countries where monkeypox is not endemic, the World Health Organization said.