Monday's assurance by the World Health Organization (WHO), was that it doesn't fear that the spread of monkeypox virus outside Africa could lead to a global pandemic.

Rosamund Lewis (WHO's top monkeypox expert) answered a question about the possibility that there might be a global epidemic. She emphasized that it was still possible to stop the epidemic from spreading.

Nearly 400 cases of monkeypox have been reported to WHO since May 7, when the first case was confirmed. This is in an area that is not normally affected by the virus. Although the WHO expressed concern about this "unusual circumstance", it reiterated its belief that there is no need to panic.

Monkeypox can be confused with smallpox. It was eliminated in 1980. Monkeypox is less severe and most people can recover within three to four weeks. The symptoms of monkeypox include high fever, swelling lymph nodes and a rash that resembles chickenpox.