With monkeypox cases on the rise in Brazil, attacks on monkeys are on the rise in the South American country.

"We have noticed that the number of incidents in which animals are being pursued, stoned or even poisoned is increasing," said Dener Giovanini, coordinator of the National Network to Combat Wildlife Trade (Renctas), the German Press Agency.

"This is because there is a lack of information in Brazilian society" about the fact that the monkeys are not carriers of the virus and therefore do not pose a danger to humans.

A number of abused and poisoned monkeys were recently brought to the São José do Rio Preto Zoo, eleven of which died, according to a statement from the city in the state of São Paulo.

A video showed how the animals suffered.

The World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva expressed its concern about developments in Brazil.

"People shouldn't attack monkeys," WHO spokeswoman Margaret Harris said at a news conference.

There have also been repeated attacks on monkeys in Brazil during yellow fever outbreaks.

According to the Ministry of Health in Brasília, Brazil has registered 2,293 cases of monkeypox (as of August 8).

The first death outside of Africa linked to the monkeypox outbreak was confirmed in late July in the largest country in Latin America.

According to the Ministry of Health, the 41-year-old had various previous illnesses, had chemotherapy and was immunocompromised.