The World Health Organisation (WHO) has outlined the groups of people most likely to catch monkeypox. The disease, which was first discovered in the 1950s, has seen a resurgence in recent months.
WHO bosses say the disease was originally discovered in a monkey, hence the name, only to later be discovered in a child in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1970. Now, it is spreading across the globe, prompting the organisation to declare the spread a health emergency.
Dr Rosamund Lewis, technical lead for monkeypox at the WHO, said: "What's different now is that we're seeing cases in other countries that don't normally have monkeypox. And this is very unusual.
"We've had the occasional outbreak or a single case detected in a traveller from West Africa. But in fact, we've never seen an outbreak like this before."
Dr Lewis explained monkeypox causes a rash, meaning if you are caring for someone with the disease you should take care of their skin and any symptoms such as pain and itchiness. She explained there is a vaccine for people who have been in touch with someone who has monkeypox.
Who is at risk of catching monkeypox and how can we protect them?
Dr Lewis said monkeypox spreads from close face-to-face, skin-to-skin contact. However there may be new ways it is spreading in the current climate.
Currently, she says men who have sex with men are being affected the most in the outbreak. This can also impact anyone who may be in contact with an infected person, such as family members and close friends.
Dr Lewis added: "Because this virus does spread through close contact and person to person contact, it does mean that in the health care setting, a health worker who doesn't know what they're dealing with and may not have the right personal protective equipment may inadvertently be exposed. So we also want to be sure that health workers have the message that if you're seeing someone who has a rash, it is important to be aware this virus is newly spreading in different population groups."
Dr Lewis says anyone treating someone with an undiagnosed rash should make sure they are wearing the correct protective equipment. While anyone with a rash may also want to keep those close to them safe with protective equipment.
