Morocco has confirmed a case of mpox in a man in the city of Marrakech, the health ministry said.

Axar.az reports that this is the first such discovery since the current outbreak was declared a public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organization (WHO) last month.

That was in response to the rapid spread of a new variant, or clade, of the virus in central Africa. The Moroccan authorities have not said which variant the man has.

The health ministry said he is receiving treatment and is in a stable condition.

Moroccan authorities are tracing and monitoring the health of all the people the man has had contact with. None were showing any symptoms, the statement released on Thursday afternoon said.

Mpox can be spread through close personal contact with someone who is infected.

It can also be spread through touching objects that have been contaminated by the virus, such as bedding, clothing and towels.