Brits feared to have monkeypox were quarantined in Greece as the first case of the virus was detected in Scotland.
A 29-year-old man and another male were transferred from Attiko Hospital in Haidari to the island of Kefalonia over the weekend as medics panicked over a rash.
They later tested negative for monkeypox which has now been found in several European countries - but positive for harmless chickenpox.
It comes as Greece enters a heightened state of alert for the rare condition which causes symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle aches, swollen lymph nodes and chills.
It is usually contained to countries in Africa.
A statement from Norwegian firm EpiGuard- who are experts in medical isolation and transportation- confirmed its plane landed at Kefalonia airport to pick up two British tourists diagnosed with symptoms reminiscent of monkeypox.
They said: “Shortly after 11pm Saturday, May 21, the Hellenic Air Force’s C-130 Hercules landed at Kefalonia airport to pick up two British tourists diagnosed with symptoms reminiscent of monkeypox.
“On a day-to-day basis the EpiShuttle is used to transport patients with suspicion of covid, ebola, measles, tuberculosis, and now also monkeypox, across the globe.
“The EpiShuttle can isolate any contagious patient, regardless of disease, and efficiently protect the staff and society at large.”
Latest updates suggest monkeypox is spread via very close contact such as sex with most of the initial cases detected among homosexual men.
Earlier today Public Health Scotland confirmed its first case in the country.
Nick Phin, Public Health Scotland's Director of Public Health Science, said: “We are working with NHS Boards and wider partners in Scotland and the UK to investigate the source of this infection.
“Close contacts of the case are being identified and provided with health information and advice.”
There have now been 20 confirmed cases in the UK.
Downing Street has moved to reassure the public the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is monitoring monkeypox "extremely carefully".
The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: "We have the UK Health Security Agency who are monitoring this extremely carefully.
"The facts we know is that monkeypox is not usually spread easily between people, and the risk to others remains low.
"A notable portion of early cases detected have been in gay and bisexual men, so the UKHSA is urging this community in particular to be alert.
"It's true to say that most people recover within a few weeks."
Over the weekend an expert warned the monkeypox outbreak has reached epidemic proportions.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) is holding daily meetings to keep up to date with the latest on the new health threat.
Fabian Leendertz, from the Robert Koch Institute, described the current outbreak as an epidemic.
He reassured: “However, it is very unlikely this epidemic will last long.
