Fears of monkeypox hit the Canary Islands as a British tourist was tested for the virus in Fuerteventura

Health authorities on the holiday island are currently testing a British tourist for monkeypox as the number of Spanish cases of the virus rises to around 40, with a further 67 feared

A British tourist visiting Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands is feared to have contracted monkeypox.

The holiday island’s health chiefs are currently investigating five suspected cases of the virus.

If confirmed, the Brit would be the first affected in Spain since the nation confirmed its first cases last week.

A spokesman for the Canary Islands Health Service said in a brief statement: “One suspected case of monkeypox in Fuerteventura is equivalent to one British tourist.”

It is not known if he is alone on the island or in a group that is also being tested.

Spain has confirmed around 40 cases of monkeypox so far and said a further 67 people would be tested.

Europe is on heightened alert for the rare condition, which causes symptoms including fever, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes and chills.

Last week Spain reported a spate of infections, mainly in the Madrid region, where the regional government closed a sauna linked to the highest number of infections.

A Pride festival in Gran Canaria, attended by 80,000 people from the UK and other European countries, is also under investigation.

Health chief Enrique Ruiz Escudero added at the time: “The health department will carry out an even more detailed analysis … to control the contagion, break the chains of transmission and try to contain the transmission of this virus as much as possible.”

Most of the cases currently being investigated in Europe have been mild so far, and most of those infected are expected to recover within a few weeks without treatment.

Yesterday it was confirmed that the number of cases of monkeypox in the UK has risen to 57, according to the British Health Agency.

There were 20 cases in England on Friday and that number was set to rise, with a further 36 now confirmed.

Scotland also recorded its first case with a total of 57.

dr Nick Phin, the medical and scientific director for public health at Public Health Scotland, said the infected person was being “managed and treated in accordance with nationally agreed protocols and guidelines”.

Monkeypox is rarely transmitted between people but can occur through close person-to-person contact or through contact with items used by a person with the virus, such as clothing, bedding, or utensils.

A large proportion of cases have been identified in men who have had sex with other male communities.

It’s not usually a sexually transmitted infection, but it can be transmitted through direct contact during sex.

Over the weekend, an expert warned that the monkeypox outbreak, which has been detected across Europe and North America, has reached epidemic proportions.

The World Health Organization (WHO) holds daily meetings to keep up to date with the latest health threats.