"As the summer season approaches with a large number of people in Europe, I am concerned that the transmission of the virus may accelerate," said Hans Kluge, director of the WHO Regional Office.

He noted that the main method of transmission is close physical contact with the patient.

Fabian Leenderz, a doctor at the German Robert Koch Institute, called the monkey outbreak an epidemic, but said it would not last long.

“Today it is easy to track and isolate patients.

In addition, we have drugs and effective vaccines that can be used if necessary, ”Leenderz said.

Monkeypox is a rare infectious disease that is most common in remote areas of Central and West Africa.

Its symptoms are nausea, fever, rash, itching, and muscle pain.

Cases of disease outside the region are often associated with trips to unfavorable areas in terms of epidemiology.

The virus spreads through contact, but its ability to infect the body is low.

By May 21, 2022, more than 100 cases of monkeypox had been reported outside Africa.

At least eight European countries - Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom - have reported monkeypox in recent days.

Cases have also been reported in Australia, Canada and the United States, according to the WHO.

The World Health Organization has convened an emergency meeting of experts to discuss an outbreak of monkeypox.