Europe is at the epicentre of the global monkeypox outbreak as cases triple around the world. But the spread does not qualify as "endemic", according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
The global risk level posed by the virus is currently defined as "moderate" by the WHO after 780 cases were recorded from May 13 to June 2. The UK has the highest number of new cases in the world outside an endemic area with 207, ahead of Spain with 156 and Portugal with 138.
The majority of new infections have been discovered in Europe and North America. A handful have been recorded in Mexico, Argentina, Morocco and the United Arab Emirates.
Health experts have described the risk to the general public as "low" but this could change if the virus continues to spread in new countries. The WHO said transmission has been helped by loosening of travel restrictions put in place to control the spread of Covid-19.
The organisation added that Europe remains "at the epicentre of the largest and most geographically widespread monkeypox outbreak ever reported outside of endemic areas in western and central Africa". And it warned that transmission could be accelerated by large in-person events occurring over the summer.
The WHO said: "Rapid, amplified transmission has occurred in the context of the recent lifting of pandemic restrictions on international travel and events. The potential for further transmission in Europe and elsewhere over the summer is high.
"Monkeypox has already spread against the backdrop of several mass gatherings in the region. Over the coming months, many of the dozens of festivals and large parties planned provide further contexts where amplification may occur.
"But they also provide powerful opportunities to engage with young, sexually active and globally mobile persons to raise awareness and strengthen individual and community protection."
Medical experts have been speculation that the virus has been circulating for longer than originally believed. Dr Rosamund Lewis, the WHO's technical lead for monkeypox, said transmission could have been taking place without detection for some time.
She said: "What we don't know is how long that may have been. We don't know if it's weeks, months, or possibly a couple of years."
The virus is passed on via close contact, including contact with the skin rash of someone who has been infected. It starts with symptoms of fever, headache, muscle aches and exhaustion before a rash begins to appear, often on the face, and spreads to other body parts.
The virus is rarely fatal for healthy adults, according to the WHO. But it can pose a threat to children, pregnant women and those who are immunocompromised.
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