Monkeypox virus was first discovered in 1958, in a group of captive cynomologous monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) that were being used for polio vaccine research in Copenhagen. Twelve years later, the first human cases were detected in Western Africa, with 54 human cases identified between 1970 and 1979 in this region. Since 13 May 2022, monkeypox cases have been detected in non-endemic countries, with 2,525 cases currently across 37 countries. The disease is a viral zoonosis, with symptoms similar to smallpox, but clinically is less severe. The virus is spread from person to person by close contact with lesions, body fluids, respiratory droplets and contaminated materials, and has an incubation period of 6 to 13 days.