Cases of monkeypox - a rare, little-known disease - are being investigated in European countries including the UK, as well as in the US, Canada and Australia.
In the UK, there have been more than 800 confirmed cases in recent weeks.
Infections are usually mild and the risk to the general population is low, but the UK government has bought stocks of smallpox vaccine to guard against monkeypox.
How common is monkeypox?
Monkeypox is caused by the monkeypox virus, a member of the same family of viruses as smallpox, although it is much less severe and experts say chances of infection are low.
It occurs mostly in remote parts of central and West African countries, near tropical rainforests. In those regions, there have been more than 1,200 cases of monkeypox since the start of the year.
Two main strains of the virus - West African and central African - are known to exist, and it's the milder one from West Africa which is now circulating in other regions of the world.
The unusually high numbers of people infected with monkeypox outside of Africa, with no travel links to the region, means the virus is now spreading in the community.
What are the symptoms?
Initial symptoms include fever, headaches, swellings, back pain, aching muscles.
Once the fever breaks, a rash can develop, often beginning on the face, then spreading to other parts of the body, most commonly the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.
The rash, which can be extremely itchy or painful, changes and goes through different stages before finally forming a scab, which later falls off. The lesions can cause scarring.
The infection usually clears up on its own and lasts between 14 and 21 days.
How do you catch it?
Monkeypox can be spread when someone is in close contact with an infected person. The virus can enter the body through broken skin, the respiratory tract or through the eyes, nose or mouth.
It has not previously been described as a sensual transmitted infection, but it can be passed on by close contact.
New guidance is advising anyone with the virus to abstain from sensual activities while they have symptoms.
While there is currently no available evidence that monkeypox can be spread in sensual fluids, people confirmed to have the virus are advised to use condoms for eight weeks after infection as a precaution.
It can also be spread by contact with infected animals such as monkeys, rats and squirrels, or by virus-contaminated objects, such as bedding and clothing.
How dangerous is it?
Most cases of the virus are mild, sometimes resembling chickenpox, and clear up on their own within a few weeks.
Monkeypox can sometimes be more severe, however, and has been reported to have caused deaths in West Africa.
Are gay men at greater risk?
Although some cases have been seen in gay and anyone who comes into close contact with someone who has monkeypox could potentially get the virus.
The UK Health Security Agency has said "a notable proportion" of the recent cases in the UK and Europe have been found in gay, "so we are particularly encouraging them to be alert to the symptoms and seek help if concerned".
Should the public be concerned?
Experts say we are not on the brink of a national outbreak and, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UK HSA), the risk is low.
UK HSA health protection teams are contacting people who've come into close contact with confirmed cases and are at high risk. They are offering advice and monitoring them.
They are advising anyone else who has been in close contact with someone infected by monkeypox to isolate at home for up to 21 days.
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