Cases of monkeypox - a viral zoonotic disease that occurs primarily in tropical rainforest areas of Central and West Africa - have been identified in the UK.
Health officials have confirmed that two cases of monkeypox have been identified in North Wales, and one person remains in hospital.
But what is this disease - and should we be worried?
It was first discovered in 1958 when two outbreaks of a pox-like disease occurred in colonies of monkeys kept for research. It was first identified in humans in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) says: "Monkeypox is a viral zoonosis (a virus transmitted to humans from animals) with symptoms similar to those seen in the past in smallpox patients, although it is clinically less severe.
"With the eradication of smallpox in 1980 and subsequent cessation of smallpox vaccination, it has emerged as the most important orthopoxvirus. Monkeypox occurs in Central and West Africa, often in proximity to tropical rainforests."
However, the virus has been been exported from Africa into the UK a few times before, with cases reported in September 2018 and December 2019.
WHO says: "The incubation period (interval from infection to onset of symptoms) of monkeypox is usually from 6 to 13 days but can range from 5 to 21 days.
"There is currently no specific treatment recommended for monkeypox. Vaccination against smallpox with vaccinia vaccine was demonstrated through several observational studies to be about 85% effective in preventing monkeypox. Thus, prior childhood smallpox vaccination may result in a milder disease course."
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that monkeypox is a "rare disease" and that African rodent species are suspected to play a role in transmission.
Meanwhile, the NHS says the risk of catching monkeypox in the UK is "very low" and that it is a usually a mild illness that will get better on its own without treatment".
What are the symptoms?
The NHS says he illness begins with:
- high temperature
- headache
- muscle aches
- backache
- swollen glands
- chills
- exhaustion
"A rash usually begins 1 to 5 days after the first symptoms appear. The spots often start on the face before spreading to other parts of the body," continues the NHS.
"During the illness the rash changes from raised red bumps, to spots filled with fluid. The spots eventually form scabs which later fall off."
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