Sylvie Briand, WHO director for Global Infectious Hazard Preparedness. (Photo: AFP)

Sylvie Briand, WHO director for Global Infectious Hazard Preparedness, suggested countries put in place the right measures now to contain this easily. Needed measures included the early detection and isolation of cases and contact tracing, she added.

Monkeypox is a usually mild viral infection that is endemic in parts of west and central Africa. It spreads chiefly through close contact and until the recent outbreak, was rarely seen in other parts of the world, which is why the recent emergence of cases in Europe, the United States and other areas has raised alarms.

So far, there are about 300 confirmed or suspected cases in around 20 countries where the virus was not previously circulating.